Alexander Kuprin years of life. Alexander Kuprin: biography of the writer

Alexander Kuprin is the greatest Russian writer known for his novels, translations and short stories.

Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin was born in the small town of Narovchat on September 7, 1870 in a noble family. At an early age, he moved with his mother to Moscow due to the death of the boy's father. He received his secondary education in an ordinary boarding school, which was also a boarding school for homeless children. After 4 years of study, he was transferred to the cadet corps, also located in Moscow. The young man decides to develop a military career and after graduation becomes a student at the Alexander Military School.

Having received a diploma, Kuprin is sent to serve in the Dnepropetrovsk Infantry Regiment as a second lieutenant. But after 4 years he quits the service and visits several cities in the western provinces of the Russian Empire. It was problematic for him to find a permanent job due to lack of qualifications. Ivan Bunin, whom the writer met recently, pulls him out of a difficult financial situation. Bunin sends Kuprin to the capital and gets him a job in a large printing house. Alexander remains to live in Gatchina until the events of 1917. During the First World War, he voluntarily equips the hospital and helps to cure the wounded soldiers. For the entire period of the beginning of the 20th century, Kuprin created several stories and short stories, the most famous of which were “White Poodle” and “Garnet Bracelet”.

In the last years of the existence of the Russian Empire, Kuprin adhered to communist views, vehemently supporting the Bolshevik Party. He reacted positively to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas 2 and took the advent of the new government in a good tone. A few years later, the classic is very disappointed in the new government and begins to make speeches criticizing the new political system of Soviet Russia. In this regard, he had to take up arms and join the White movement.

But after the victory of the Reds, Alexander immediately migrates abroad to avoid persecution. He chooses France as his place of residence. In exile, he is actively engaged in literary activities and writes his next masterpieces: “The Wheel of Time”, “Junker”, “Janeta”. His works are in great demand among readers. Unfortunately, the huge popularity of his work did not bring the writer a huge amount of financial resources. As a result, for 15 years he was able to collect an incredible list of debts and loans. The “money hole” and the inability to feed his own family made him addicted to alcohol, which noticeably crippled his life.

A few years later, his health rapidly begins to deteriorate. Suddenly, at the end of the 30s of the last century, Kuprin was invited back to Russia. Alexander is back. But due to alcoholism and aggravated illnesses, the body of the classic could no longer create or work. Therefore, on August 25, 1938, Alexander Kuprin dies in Leningrad due to natural causes.

The life and work of the writer Alexander Kuprin

Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin is a famous Russian writer and translator. His works were realistic, and thus gained fame in many sectors of society.

Childhood and parents

Kuprin's childhood years are spent in Moscow, where he and his mother moved after the death of his father.

Education

In 1887, Kuprin entered the Alexander Military School.

He begins to experience various difficult moments, about which he writes his first works.

Kuprin wrote poetry well, but did not try to publish them or did not want to.

In 1890 he served in the infantry, where he wrote the works "Inquiry", "In the Dark".

The heyday of creativity

After 4 years, Kuprin leaves the regiment and begins his journey to different cities of Russia, looking at nature, people and acquiring new knowledge for his further works and stories.

Kuprin's works are interesting in that he described his experiences and feelings in them or they became the basis for new stories.

The very dawn of the writer's work was at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1905, the story "Duel" was published, which received great recognition from society. Then the most important work “Garnet Bracelet” was born, which made Kuprin famous.

It is impossible not to highlight such a work as the story "The Pit", which became scandalous and was not published because of the pornographic scenes in the book.

Emigration

During the October Revolution, Kuprin emigrates to France because he did not want to support communism.

There he continues his activities as a writer, without which he could not imagine his life.

Return to Russia

Gradually, Kuprin begins to yearn for his homeland, to which he returned with poor health. After returning, he begins work on his latest work called “Moscow, dear”.

Personal life

Kuprin had two wives: with the first Maria Davydova, the marriage ended 5 years later, but this marriage gave him a daughter, Lydia. The second wife was Elizaveta Moritsovna Heinrich, who gave him two daughters - Xenia and Zinaida. The wife committed suicide during the siege of Leningrad, unable to survive such a terrible time.

Kuprin had no descendants, because his only grandson died in World War II.

Last years of life and death

The government was to the advantage of Kuprin's return to his homeland, because they wanted to create from him the image of a man who regretted his act, that he left his native land.

However, there were rumors that Kuprin was very ill, so there was information that he did not write his work “Moscow dear” at all.

Message 3

The birth of the writer took place on September 7, 1870 in the Penza province in the city of Narovchat. Very early, due to cholera, his father passed away. In 1874 mother moved to Moscow, and sent Alexander to a school where orphans studied. From 1880 to 1888 goes all the way to the Alexander Military School.

He began to get involved in literature during the period of study in the cadets. The story "The Last Debut" appeared in 1889. and the writer was punished with a reprimand. Having received the rank of second lieutenant in 1890-1894. was sent to serve in Kamenetz-Podolsky. In 1901 retired. He lived in Kyiv, Petrograd, then in Sevastopol. All this time, the writer was pursued by poverty, poverty, he did not have a permanent job. These hardships contributed to the development of Kuprin as an outstanding writer. He made friends with Chekhov A.P., Bunin I.A. , these writers left an indelible imprint on the writer's work. Stories and novels are published: "Duel", "Pit", "Garnet Bracelet".

1909 came, the year of recognition. Alexander Kuprin receives the Pushkin Prize. In addition to writing, he helps rebel sailors escape from the police. 1914 one of the most terrible events in the history of mankind - the First World War. Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin goes to the front as a volunteer, but he does not stay there for long. He is commissioned for health. In order to participate at least somehow in the fate of the country, he opens a soldier's hospital in his house. But he did not last long. Changes have begun in the country.

1917 time of revolution. Kuprin draws closer to the Socialist-Revolutionaries, and welcomes the revolution with joy. But its consequences did not justify his hopes. The civil war that followed the revolution plunged him into depression. Makes a decision to join the army of Yudenich N.N.

1920 is coming. Time for a change. Kuprin moves to France and writes his autobiography. The light saw her under the name "Junker". In 1937, the desire to see the Motherland makes him return home. The new country, the USSR, accepted Alexander Ivanovich calmly, without consequences. But the great writer did not have long to live.

The writer died at the age of 68 from cancer of the esophagus in 1938. August 25, in St. Petersburg, at that time Leningrad. He was buried at the Volkovskoye cemetery, near the grave of I.S. Turgenev, now it is the Frunzensky district of St. Petersburg.

Report 4

Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin is a man with an interesting fate, a realist writer, whose images are taken from life itself. The time of his creations fell on a period that was not easy for Russian history. The end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century were reflected in the fate and works of the author.

Alexander Ivanovich, born in 1870, was a native of the Penza province, the city of Narovchat. The mother of the future writer had Tatar roots, which Kuprin was very proud of later. Sometimes he dressed up in a Tatar robe and wore a skullcap, going out into the world in such clothes.

The boy was not even a year old when his father passed away, the mother was forced to give her son to an orphanage, moving to Moscow, of which she was a native. For little Alexander, the boarding house was a place of despondency and oppression.

After graduating from college, Kuprin entered a military gymnasium, after which in 1887 he continued his studies at the Alexander Military School. The writer described the events of the period of his life in the work "Junker". It was during the period of study that Alexander Ivanovich tries to write. The first published story, The Last Debut, was written in 1889.

After graduating from college in 1890. Kuprin served four years in an infantry regiment. The richest life experience acquired in the service more than once became the theme of his works. At the same time, the writer publishes his works in the Russian Wealth magazine. During this period, the following were released: "Inquiry", "In the Dark", "Moonlight", "Hiking", "Night Shift" and many others.

After completing military service, Kuprin lives in Kyiv and is trying to decide on a future profession. The writer tried many works. He was a factory worker, a circus wrestler, a petty journalist, a land surveyor, a psalm reader, an actor, and a pilot. In total, I tried more than 20 professions. Everywhere he was interested, everywhere he was surrounded by people who became heroes of Kuprin's works. Wanderings brought Alexander Ivanovich to St. Petersburg, where, on the recommendation of Ivan Bunin, he gets a permanent job at the editorial office of the Journal for All.

The first wife of the writer was Maria Karlovna, whose wedding took place in the winter of 1902. A year later, a daughter, Lydia, appeared in the family, who later gave Kuprin her grandson Alexei.

The story "Duel", published in 1905, brought great success to Alexander Ivanovich. Reveler, an adventurer by nature, was always in the spotlight. Perhaps this was the reason for the divorce from his first wife in 1909. In the same year, the writer remarried Elizaveta Moritsovna, with whom two girls were born, the youngest of whom died at an early age. Neither the daughter nor the grandson left children, so there are no direct descendants of the writer.

The pre-revolutionary period was distinguished by the publication of most of Kuprin's works. Among the works written: "Garnet Bracelet", "Liquid Sun", "Gambrinus".

In 1911 moved to Gatchina, where during the First World War he opened a hospital for wounded soldiers in his house. In 1914 was mobilized and sent to serve in Finland, but for health reasons was fired.

Initially, Kuprin gladly received the news of the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II from the throne. However, faced with the dictatorship of power, he was disappointed. During the Civil War, he joined the White Guards and after the defeat was forced to leave for Paris.

Poverty, a tendency to use alcoholism forced Kuprin to return to 1937. to the motherland. By this period, the writer was already very ill and could not engage in creativity. Alexander Ivanovich died in 1938.

Message about Kuprin

Popular Russian authors are different from any other authors, as they are usually adherents of the classical direction of literature. It is not for nothing that these writers have become one of the most recognizable faces, both in their homeland and far abroad. Usually these are writers who, from childhood, have been developing their writing talent all their lives, while getting to know the key people of their time, which also brought them considerable popularity, which made them even more successful. Thus, such people became famous and successful, but their immense talent also played an important role in their development. An excellent example of such an author is the writer Kuprin.

Alexander Kuprin is a very famous author, who at one time was read very actively, both in Russia and far abroad. This author wrote rather unique and interesting works, in which the author revealed the most interesting topics, through which the author also conveyed his point of view, which he shared with his readers. In the works of Kuprin, there were also various artistic techniques that amazed their readers with their genius, because Kuprin was a true master of the word, who wrote in a way that no author could write, a classical author, to be more precise. Even his classical works were filled with a rather interesting plot.

Alexander Kuprin on September 7 in the city of Narovchat. He was born, like most famous classical writers, into a noble family, in which the boy was very much loved and taken care of from childhood. And from the very childhood in the boy his strong inclination to literature was noticed. From childhood, he began to show fairly good skills in literature, as well as in writing various works and poems. Later, he went to get an education, which he successfully received and began to work on himself and his work. While working on it, he was able to develop his own style of writing, and thus he became one of the most widely read authors of his time, if not the most widely read. He lived a good life, writing a huge number of works, he finished it in Leningrad on August 25, 1938. His entire family mourned the loss, but he died of natural causes, or, more simply, of old age.

Yuri Pavlovich Kazakov (1927-1982) is one of the writers of the Soviet period of Russian history. Kazakov is a native of Moscow and his childhood years in an ordinary simple family pass

Such a problem as a fire, unfortunately, is inevitable. Sometimes, even if all safety rules are observed, accidents occur. In such cases, special people are needed, daredevils who

Kuprin Alexander Ivanovich (1870 - 1938) - Russian writer. Social criticism marked the story "Moloch" (1896), in which industrialization appears in the form of a monster plant that enslaves a person morally and physically, the story "Duel" (1905) - about the death of a mentally pure hero in the deadly atmosphere of army life and the story "The Pit" (1909 - 15) - about prostitution. The variety of finely defined types, lyrical situations in the novels and stories "Olesya" (1898), "Gambrinus" (1907), "Garnet Bracelet" (1911). Cycles of essays ("Listrigons", 1907 - 11). In 1919 - 37 in exile, in 1937 he returned to his homeland. Autobiographical novel "Junker" (1928 - 32).

Big encyclopedic dictionary, M.-SPb., 1998

Biography

Kuprin Alexander Ivanovich (1870), prose writer.

Born on August 26 (September 7, NS) in the city of Narovchat, Penza province, in the family of a petty official who died a year after the birth of his son. Mother (from the ancient family of the Tatar princes Kulanchakov) after the death of her husband moved to Moscow, where the future writer spent his childhood and youth. At the age of six, the boy was sent to the Moscow Razumovsky boarding school (orphan), from where he left in 1880. In the same year he entered the Moscow Military Academy, transformed into the Cadet Corps.

After the end of the exercise, he continued his military education at the Alexander Cadet School (1888 - 90). Subsequently, he will describe his "military youth" in the stories "At the Turning Point (Cadets)" and in the novel "Junkers". Even then, he dreamed of becoming a "poet or novelist."

Kuprin's first literary experience was poetry, which remained unpublished. The first work that saw the light was the story "The Last Debut" (1889).

In 1890, after graduating from a military school, Kuprin, with the rank of second lieutenant, was enrolled in an infantry regiment stationed in the Podolsk province. The life of an officer, which he led for four years, provided rich material for his future works. In 1893 - 1894 in the St. Petersburg magazine "Russian wealth" his story "In the Dark" and the stories "Moonlight Night" and "Inquiry" were published. A series of stories is dedicated to the life of the Russian army: "Overnight" (1897), "Night Shift" (1899), "Campaign". In 1894 Kuprin retired and moved to Kyiv, having no civilian profession and little life experience. In the following years, he traveled a lot around Russia, having tried many professions, eagerly absorbing life experiences that became the basis of his future works. In the 1890s he published the essay "Yuzovsky Plant" and the story "Moloch", the stories "Forest Wilderness", "The Werewolf", the stories "Olesya" and "Kat" ("Army Ensign"). During these years, Kuprin met Bunin, Chekhov and Gorky. In 1901 he moved to St. Petersburg, began working on the Journal for Everyone, married M. Davydova, and had a daughter, Lydia. Kuprin's stories appeared in St. Petersburg magazines: "Swamp" (1902); Horse Thieves (1903); "White Poodle" (1904). In 1905, his most significant work, the story "The Duel", was published, which was a great success. The writer's speeches with the reading of individual chapters of the "Duel" became an event in the cultural life of the capital. His works of this time were very well-behaved: the essay "Events in Sevastopol" (1905), the stories "Staff Captain Rybnikov" (1906), "The River of Life", "Gambrinus" (1907). In 1907 he married a second marriage to sister of mercy E. Heinrich, daughter Ksenia was born. Kuprin's work in the years between the two revolutions resisted the decadent moods of those years: the cycle of essays "Listrigons" (1907 - 11), stories about animals, the stories "Shulamith", "Garnet Bracelet" (1911). His prose became a prominent phenomenon in Russian literature at the beginning of the century. After the October Revolution, the writer did not accept the policy of war communism, the "Red Terror", he experienced fear for the fate of Russian culture. In 1918 he came to Lenin with a proposal to publish a newspaper for the village - "Earth". At one time he worked in the publishing house "World Literature", founded by Gorky. In the autumn of 1919, while in Gatchina, cut off from Petrograd by Yudenich's troops, he emigrated abroad. The seventeen years that the writer spent in Paris were an unproductive period. Constant material need, homesickness led him to the decision to return to Russia. In the spring of 1937, the seriously ill Kuprin returned to his homeland, warmly welcomed by his admirers. Published an essay "Moscow dear". However, new creative plans were not destined to come true. In August 1938 Kuprin died in Leningrad from cancer.

Brief biography of A.I. Kuprin - option 2

Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin (1870-1938) is a famous Russian writer. His father, a small official, died a year after the birth of his son. Mother, originally from the Tatar princes Kulanchakov, after the death of her husband moved to the capital of Russia, where Kuprin spent his childhood and youth. At the age of 6, Alexander was sent to an orphanage, where he stayed until 1880. And immediately after leaving, he entered the Moscow Military Academy.

After - he studied at the Alexander School (1888-90). In 1889, his first work, The Last Debut, saw the light of day. In 1890, Kuprin was assigned to an infantry regiment in the Podolsk province, where life became the basis of his many works.

In 1894 the writer retired and moved to Kyiv. The following years were devoted to the wanderings of Russia.

In 1890, he presented readers with many publications - Moloch, Yuzovsky Plant, Werewolf, Olesya, Kat.

In 1901, Kuprin moved to St. Petersburg and worked as the secretary of the Journal for All. In the same year, he marries Davydova M. and life gives him a daughter.

Two years later, Kuprin marries a second time. His chosen one is sister of mercy E. Heinrich, who gave birth to the writer's daughter.

In 1918, Kuprin comes to Lenin and offers to publish a newspaper for villagers - "Earth". In 1919 the author emigrated abroad. But the period when he stayed in Paris - 17 years - was unproductive. The reason for this is the material side, longing for the homeland. And as a result - the decision to return to Russia.

Already in 1937, Kuprin returned to Russia, published the essay "Moscow dear". Death from cancer overtakes the author in 1938.

Biography of A.I. Kuprin |

Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin and Russian literature of the early 20th century are inseparable. This happened because the writer in his own works covered contemporary life, discussed topics and sought answers to questions that are usually classified as eternal. All his work is based on life prototypes. Alexander Ivanovich drew stories from life, he only refracted this or that situation in artistic terms. According to the generally accepted opinion, the work of this author belongs to the literary direction of realism, but there are pages that are written in the style of romanticism.

In 1870, a boy was born in one of the cities of the Penza province. They named him Alexander. Sasha's parents were poor nobles.

The boy's father served as a secretary in court, and his mother was engaged in housekeeping. Fate decreed that after Alexander was one year old, his father died suddenly from an illness.

After this sad event, the widow with children goes to live in Moscow. The further life of Alexander, one way or another, will be connected with Moscow.

Sasha studied at a cadet boarding school. Everything indicated that the fate of the boy would be connected with military affairs. But in reality it turned out to be completely different. The theme of the army has firmly entered the literary work of Kuprin. Military service is devoted to such works as "Army Ensign", "Cadets", "Duel", "Junkers". It is worth noting that the image of the main character of "Duel" is autobiographical. The author admits that he created the image of a second lieutenant, based on the experience of his own service.

The year 1894 was marked for the future prose writer by his resignation from military service. This happened due to his explosive nature. At this time, the future prose writer is looking for himself. He tries to write, and the very first experiments become successful.

Some of the stories written by him are published in magazines. This period until 1901 can be called the fruitful period of Kuprin's literary work. The following works have been written: "Olesya", "Lilac Bush", "Wonderful Doctor" and many others.

In Russia, during this period of time, popular unrest is brewing due to opposition to capitalism. The young author reacts creatively to these processes.

The result was the story "Moloch", where he refers to ancient Russian mythology. Under the guise of a mythological creature, he shows the spiritual power of capitalism.

Important! When "Moloch" saw the light, its author began to communicate closely with the luminaries of Russian literature of that period. These are Bunin, Chekhov, Gorky.

In 1901, Alexander met his only one and tied the knot. After the marriage, the couple moved to St. Petersburg. At this time, the writer is active both in the literary field and in public life. Written works: "White Poodle", "Horse Thieves" and others.

In 1911 the family moved to live in Gatchina. At this time, a new theme appears in creativity - love. He writes "Shulamith".

A. I. Kuprin "Garnet bracelet"

In 1918, the couple emigrated to France. Abroad, the writer continues to work fruitfully. Written over 20 stories. Among them are "Blue Star", "Yu-Yu" and others.

1937 became a landmark in the sense that Alexander Ivanovich was allowed to return to his homeland. The sick writer returns to Russia. He lives in his homeland for only a year. The ashes rest at the Volkovsky cemetery in Leningrad.

The most important thing you need to know about the life and work of this outstanding author is placed in the chronological table:

The most important thing about Kuprin

Briefly, the biography of the writer can be summarized in several key milestones of his life. Alexander Ivanovich comes from an impoverished noble family. It so happened that the boy was left without a father early. For this reason, the formation of personality was quite difficult. After all, as you know, a boy needs a father. The mother, having moved to Moscow, decides to assign her son to study at a military school. Therefore, the army way of life had a strong influence on Alexander Ivanovich, his worldview.

Main stages of life:

• Until 1894, that is, before retiring from military service, the aspiring author tried his hand at writing.
• After 1894, he realized that writing was his vocation, so he devoted himself entirely to creativity. Reduces acquaintance with Gorky, Bunin, Chekhov and other writers of that time.
• The revolution of 1917 approved Kuprin in the idea that they might be right in their views on power. Therefore, the writer with his family cannot stay in Russia and is forced to emigrate. For almost 20 years, Alexander Ivanovich has been living in France and working fruitfully. A year before his death, he is allowed to return to his homeland, which he does.
• In 1938, the writer's heart stopped beating forever.

Useful video: the early period of creativity of A. I. Kuprin

Biography for children

The guys get acquainted with the name of Kuprin while studying in elementary school. Below is the biographical information about the writer that students need.

It is important for children of primary school age to know that Alexander Ivanovich turned to the topic of children and childhood for a reason. He writes on the subject simply and naturally. In this cycle, he creates a large number of stories about animals. In general, in the works of this direction, Kuprin expresses a humane attitude towards all living things.

In the stories, the heroes of which are children, the theme of orphanhood is sharply expressed. Perhaps this is due to the fact that their author himself was left without a father early. But it is worth noting that he shows orphanhood as a social problem. The works about children and for children include “The Wonderful Doctor”, “Yu-Yu”, “Taper”, “Elephant”, “White Poodle” and many others.

Important! Undoubtedly, the contribution of this outstanding writer to the development and formation of children's literature is extremely great.

A. I. Kuprin in Gatchina

Kuprin's last years

In Kuprin's childhood, there were many difficulties, and there were no less problems in the last years of his life. In 1937 he was allowed to return to the Soviet Union. He was greeted solemnly. Among those welcoming the famous prose writer were many famous poets and writers of that time. In addition to these people, there were a lot of admirers of Alexander Ivanovich's work.

By this time, Kuprin had been diagnosed with cancer. This disease greatly undermined the resources of the writer's body. Returning to his homeland, the prose writer hoped that staying in his native land would only benefit him. Unfortunately, the hopes of the writer were not destined to come true. A year later, the talented realist was gone.

last years of life

Kuprin in video footage

In the modern world of informatization, a lot of biographical information about creative people has been digitized. The TV channel “My Joy” broadcasts a series of programs “My Live Journal” on its air. In this cycle there is a program about the life and work of Alexander Kuprin.

On the TV channel "Russia. Culture” broadcasts a series of lectures about writers. The duration of the video is 25 minutes. Moreover, lectures about Alexander Ivanovich also constitute a cycle. There are those that tell about childhood and youth and about the period of emigration. Their duration is about the same.

On the Internet there are collections of videos about Kuprin. Even a whole virtual page is dedicated to the famous Russian writer. This page also has links to audiobooks. At the very end are reader reviews.

Homecoming

Wikipedia about Kuprin

The electronic encyclopedia Wikipedia contains a voluminous informational article about Alexander Ivanovich. It tells in detail about the life path of the prose writer. Detailed descriptions of his main works are given. The information concerning the writer's family is quite fully covered. This text is accompanied by personal photographs of Kuprin.

After the main information, the author's bibliography is presented, and almost all books have electronic links. Anyone who is truly interested in his work can read their interest. There are also links to videos with screened works of Alexander Ivanovich. At the end of the article, memorable places associated with the name of Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin are listed, many of which are illustrated with photographs.

Useful video: biography of A.I. Kuprin

Conclusion

70 years have passed since the death of Kuprin. This is a fairly large time span. But, despite this, the popularity of the works of Alexander Ivanovich does not decrease. This is due to the fact that they contain things that are clear to everyone. The works of Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin must be read by anyone who wants to better understand the nature of relationships and the motives that drive different people. They are a kind of encyclopedia of moral qualities and deep feelings of any person.

In contact with

In literature, the name of Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin is associated with an important transitional stage at the turn of two centuries. Not the last role in this was played by a historical breakdown in the political and public life of Russia. This factor undoubtedly had the strongest influence on the writer's work. A. I. Kuprin is a man of unusual fate and strong character. Almost all of his works are based on real events. An ardent fighter for justice sharply, boldly and at the same time lyrically created his masterpieces, which were included in the golden fund of Russian literature.

Kuprin was born in 1870 in the town of Narovchat, Penza province. His father, a small landowner, died suddenly when the future writer was only a year old. Left with his mother and two sisters, he grew up enduring hunger and all sorts of hardships. Experiencing serious financial difficulties associated with the death of her husband, the mother placed her daughters in a government boarding school, and together with little Sasha moved to Moscow.

Kuprin's mother, Lyubov Alekseevna, was a proud woman, as she was a descendant of a noble Tatar family, as well as a native Muscovite. But she had to make a difficult decision for herself - to give her son up for education in an orphanage school.

Kuprin's childhood years, spent within the walls of the boarding house, were bleak, and his inner state always seemed depressed. He felt out of place, felt bitterness from the constant oppression of his personality. Indeed, given the origin of the mother, which the boy was always very proud of, the future writer, as he grew up and became, showed himself as an emotional, active and charismatic person.

Youth and education

After graduating from the orphan school, Kuprin entered a military gymnasium, which was later transformed into a cadet corps.

This event largely influenced the further fate of Alexander Ivanovich and, first of all, his work. After all, it was from the beginning of his studies at the gymnasium that he first revealed an interest in writing, and the image of Lieutenant Romashov from the famous story “Duel” is the prototype of the author himself.

Service in an infantry regiment allowed Kuprin to visit many remote cities and provinces of Russia, to study military affairs, the basics of army discipline and drill. The theme of officer everyday life has taken a strong position in many works of art by the author, which subsequently caused controversial debates in society.

It would seem that a military career is the fate of Alexander Ivanovich. But his rebellious nature did not allow this to materialize. By the way, the service was completely alien to him. There is a version that Kuprin, being under the influence of alcohol, threw a police officer off the bridge into the water. In connection with this incident, he soon retired and left military affairs forever.

History of success

Leaving the service, Kuprin experienced an urgent need to obtain comprehensive knowledge. Therefore, he began to actively travel around Russia, get to know people, draw from communication with them a lot of new and useful things for himself. At the same time, Alexander Ivanovich sought to try his hand at various professions. He gained experience in the field of land surveyors, circus performers, fishermen, even pilots. However, one of the flights almost ended in tragedy: as a result of the plane crash, Kuprin almost died.

He also worked with interest as a journalist in various print media, wrote notes, essays, articles. The vein of an adventurer allowed him to successfully develop everything he started. He was open to everything new and absorbed what was happening around him like a sponge. Kuprin was a researcher by nature: he eagerly studied human nature, wanted to experience all the facets of interpersonal communication for himself. Therefore, during military service, faced with obvious officer licentiousness, hazing and humiliation of human dignity, the creator in a revealing manner formed the basis for writing his most famous works, such as "Duel", "Junkers", "At the Turn (Cadets)".

The writer built the plots of all his works, relying solely on personal experience and memories received by him during his service and travels around Russia. Openness, simplicity, sincerity of the presentation of thoughts, as well as the reliability of the description of the images of the characters became the key to the author's success in the literary path.

Creation

Kuprin wholeheartedly yearned for his people, and his explosive and honest nature, due to the Tatar origin of his mother, would not allow him to distort in writing those facts about the life of people whom he personally witnessed.

However, Alexander Ivanovich did not condemn all of his characters, even bringing their dark sides to the surface. Being a humanist and a desperate fighter for justice, Kuprin figuratively demonstrated this feature of his in the work "The Pit". It tells about the life of the inhabitants of brothels. But the writer does not focus on the heroines as fallen women, on the contrary, he invites readers to understand the prerequisites for their fall, in the torment of their hearts and souls, he offers to see in every whore, first of all, a person.

More than one of Kuprin's works is saturated with the theme of love. The most striking of them is the story "". In it, as in "The Pit", there is an image of a narrator, an explicit or implicit participant in the events described. But the narrator in Oles is one of the two main characters. This is a story about noble love, partly the heroine considers herself unworthy of it, whom everyone takes for a witch. However, the girl has nothing to do with her. On the contrary, her image embodies all possible female virtues. The ending of the story cannot be called happy, because the characters do not reunite in their sincere impulse, but are forced to lose each other. But happiness lies for them in the fact that they had a chance in life to experience the power of all-consuming mutual love.

Of course, the story "Duel" deserves special attention as a reflection of all the horrors of army customs that reigned then in tsarist Russia. This is a vivid confirmation of the features of realism in the work of Kuprin. Perhaps that is why the story caused a flurry of negative reviews from critics and the public. The hero of Romashov, in the same rank of second lieutenant as Kuprin himself, who once retired, like the author, appears before readers in the light of an extraordinary personality, whose psychological growth we have the opportunity to observe from page to page. This book brought wide fame to its creator and rightfully occupies one of the central places in his bibliography.

Kuprin did not support the revolution in Russia, although at first he met quite often with Lenin. Ultimately, the writer emigrated to France, where he continued his literary work. In particular, Alexander Ivanovich liked to write for children. Some of his stories ("White Poodle", "", "Starlings") undoubtedly deserve the attention of the target audience.

Personal life

Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin was married twice. The first wife of the writer was Maria Davydova, the daughter of a famous cellist musician. In marriage, a daughter, Lydia, was born, who later died during her birth. The only grandson of Kuprin, who was born, died from wounds received during the Second World War.

The second time the writer married Elizabeth Heinrich, with whom he lived until the end of his days. The marriage produced two daughters, Zinaida and Xenia. But the first died in early childhood from pneumonia, and the second became a famous actress. However, the continuation of the Kuprin family did not follow, and today he has no direct descendants.

The second wife of Kuprin survived him by only four years and, unable to withstand the ordeal of hunger during the siege of Leningrad, committed suicide.

1. Kuprin was proud of his Tatar origin, so he often put on a national caftan and skullcap, going out in such attire to people, went to visit.
2. Partly thanks to his acquaintance with I. A. Bunin, Kuprin became a writer. Bunin once turned to him with a request to write a note on a topic of interest to him, which marked the beginning of the literary activity of Alexander Ivanovich.
3. The author was famous for his sense of smell. Once, while visiting Fyodor Chaliapin, he shocked everyone present, overshadowing the invited perfumer with his unique flair, unmistakably recognizing all the components of the new fragrance. Sometimes, when meeting new people, Alexander Ivanovich sniffed them, thereby putting everyone in an awkward position. It was said that this helped him better understand the essence of the person in front of him.
4. Throughout his life, Kuprin changed about twenty professions.
5. After meeting A. P. Chekhov in Odessa, the writer went to St. Petersburg at his invitation to work in a well-known magazine. Since then, the author has acquired a reputation as a brawler and drunkard, as he often took part in entertainment events in a new environment for himself.
6. The first wife, Maria Davydova, tried to eradicate some disorganization inherent in Alexander Ivanovich. If he fell asleep during work, she deprived him of breakfast, or forbade him to enter the house if the new chapters of the work on which he was working at that time were not ready.
7. The first monument to A.I. Kuprin was erected only in 2009 in Balaklava in the Crimea. This is due to the fact that in 1905, during the Ochakov uprising of sailors, the writer helped them hide, thereby saving their lives.
8. There were legends about the drunkenness of the writer. In particular, the wits repeated the well-known saying: "If the truth is in wine, how many truths are there in Kuprin?"

Death

The writer returned from emigration to the USSR in 1937, but already in poor health. He had hopes that a second wind would open in his homeland, he would improve his condition and be able to write again. At that time, Kuprin's vision was rapidly deteriorating.

Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin is a talented and original Russian writer of the late XIX - early XX century. Kuprin's personality, like his work, is an explosive mixture of a nobleman, a noble robber and a poor wanderer. A huge, unprocessed precious nugget, in which the primitive beauty and strength of character, the power and magnetism of personal charm are preserved.

Biography of Kuprin briefly

Alexander Kuprin was born on August 26, 1870 in the Penza province. His father was a petty official of noble origin, and his mother's pedigree had Tatar roots. The boy was orphaned early and for almost seventeen years he was in military state institutions - an orphanage, a gymnasium, a cadet, and later, a cadet school. Intellectual inclinations made their way through the armor of military drill, and young Alexander had a dream of becoming a poet or writer. At first there were youthful poems, but after military service in the provincial garrisons, the first stories and novels appear. The novice writer takes the plot of these works from his own life. Kuprin's creative life begins with the story "Inquiry", written in 1894. In the same year, he retires and sets off to wander around the south of Russia. competitions of athletes, worked at a factory in the Donbass, served as a forest ranger in Volhynia, studied to be a dental technician, played in a provincial theater and circus, worked as a surveyor.These wanderings enriched his life and writing experience.Gradually Kuprin becomes a professional writer, printing his works not accepting the October Revolution, Kuprin emigrates and lives abroad until 1937. Nostalgia for the homeland responded not only with a creative decline, but also with physical ill health. .

Creativity Kuprin

In 1896, Kuprin wrote and published the story "Moloch", which is the beginning of a new stage in the creative life of a novice writer and a completely new work for Russian literature. Capitalism, despite its progressiveness, is a ruthless moloch that devours the lives and destinies of people to obtain material In 1898 he publishes the story "Olesya", the first of his few works about love. Naive and beautiful in its naivete, the pure love of a forest girl, or as she is called in the district of the “sorceress” Olesya, breaks down on the timidity and indecision of her lover. A person of a different circle and worldview was able to awaken love, but failed to protect his beloved. From the beginning of a new ", 20th century, Kuprin begins to be published in St. Petersburg magazines. The heroes of his works are ordinary people who know how to preserve honor and dignity, not to betray friendship. In 1905, the story "Duel" was published, which the author dedicates to Maxim Gorky. Alexander Ivanovich writes about love and human devotion in the story "Shulamith" and the story "Garnet Bracelet". There are not so many works in world literature where they describe so subtly a hopeless, unrequited, and at the same time, selfless feeling of love, as Kuprin does in "Garnet Bracelet".

• Alexander Kuprin himself is a great romantic, even an adventurer in some ways. In 1910 he takes off in a hot air balloon.
• In the same year, but a little later, he was one of the first in Russia to fly an airplane.
• He sinks to the seabed, studying diving, and befriends the Balaklava fishermen. And then everyone he meets in life appears on the pages of his works - from the millionaire capitalist to the beggar.