Leo Tolstoy
Early Life
Leo Tolstoy was born on August 28, 1828, in the Tula Province of Russia. He was the fourth of five children in a well-respected noble family. His mother, Maria Volkonskaya, was a princess who died when Tolstoy was just two years old. His father, Count Nikolai Tolstoy, passed away when he was nine. As a result, Tolstoy's upbringing was entrusted to relatives, primarily to his aunts in the rural estate of Yasnaya Polyana.
Education
Tolstoy was educated at home by German and French tutors. He was a voracious reader from a young age, showing a particular interest in the works of Jean-Jacques Rousseau. At the age of 16, he enrolled in the Kazan University to study Oriental languages and later switched to law. However, he left the university in 1847 without completing his degree, disillusioned with the formal education system.
Early Writings
Tolstoy began his literary career by writing an autobiographical trilogy: "Childhood" (1852), "Boyhood" (1854), and "Youth" (1857). These works, written in diary form, describe his life from his earliest memories to his university days. They are characterized by their vivid descriptions and exploration of the inner life of the child.
Military Service
In 1851, Tolstoy joined his older brother in the Caucasus, where he enlisted in the Russian army. His experiences in the military, particularly during the Crimean War, greatly influenced his later works. His time in the army is reflected in his "Sevastopol Sketches" (1855), which brought him critical acclaim for their realistic depiction of the horrors of war.
Literary Success
Tolstoy's first major success came with the publication of "War and Peace" (1869), a historical novel set during the Napoleonic era. This monumental work, often considered one of the greatest novels in world literature, is renowned for its detailed character development and its philosophical discussions on history and free will.
His next major work, "Anna Karenina" (1877), is a complex narrative centered around a tragic heroine. It is often cited for its deep psychological insight and its critique of the social norms of 19th-century Russian society.
Later Life and Philosophical Beliefs
In the 1870s, Tolstoy underwent a profound moral crisis and spiritual awakening, which led him to espouse a new philosophy of life. He rejected the Orthodox Church, advocating instead for a form of Christianity based on the teachings of Jesus, particularly the Sermon on the Mount. His philosophical works, such as "The Kingdom of God is Within You" (1894), have had a significant influence on figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.
Tolstoy's later life was marked by his increasing radicalism and his conflict with the Russian authorities. He died of pneumonia on November 20, 1910, at the age of 82.
Legacy
Tolstoy's works have had a profound influence on world literature. His realistic approach to storytelling, his deep psychological insight, and his exploration of philosophical and moral issues have inspired countless authors and thinkers. His ideas on nonviolent resistance have also had a significant impact on the 20th-century civil rights movement.