Griboyedov was burdened by the mystery of his birth all his life. Literary and historical notes of a young technician In what year did Griboyedov die

1. Writer diplomat

And Alexander Griboedov was a diplomat and linguist, historian and economist, musician and composer. But he considered literature to be the main business of his life. "Poetry!! I love her passionately without memory, but is love enough to glorify myself? And finally, what is fame? - Alexander Griboyedov wrote in his diary.

"One of the smartest people in Russia"

Alexander Griboyedov was born into a noble family. The best teachers of that time were engaged in his education and upbringing: the encyclopedist Ivan Petrozilius, the scientist Bogdan Ion, the philosopher Johann Bule.

Alexander Griboyedov spent every summer at his uncle's family estate in the village of Khmelita. Famous writers, musicians, artists often came here for noisy balls and dinner parties.

At an early age, Griboyedov showed the ability to learn foreign languages: Greek, Latin, English, German, French, Italian. He played the piano and harp and later began to compose music and poetry. Already at the age of 11, he entered Moscow University and in two years graduated from the department of literature, and then the moral-political and physics-mathematical departments.

When the Patriotic War of 1812 began, the 17-year-old Griboedov signed up as a cornet in the Moscow Hussar Regiment. He did not have time to visit the battles: his unit began to form when Napoleon was already retreating. While Russian troops liberated Europe from the French, Griboedov served in the rear - in Belarus.

Travel notes of the secretary of the Russian embassy

In 1815, Griboedov left military service and moved to St. Petersburg. His mother, Anastasia Griboyedova, insisted that he get a job as an official in some ministry. However, the public service did not attract Griboyedov at all; he dreamed of literature and theater. In the same year, Griboyedov wrote the comedy The Young Spouses, which was later staged by the court actors of the St. Petersburg theater.

Unknown artist. Alexander Griboyedov. 1820s

In St. Petersburg, Alexander Griboyedov led a secular lifestyle: he was a member of two Masonic lodges, was friends with members of the Southern and Northern secret societies, and communicated with writers and actors. Theatrical hobbies and intrigues involved Griboyedov in a scandalous story: he became a second in the duel between Vasily Sheremetev and Alexander Zavadovsky. To save her son from prison, Griboedov's mother used all her connections and arranged for him to be the secretary of the Russian embassy in Persia.

In 1818, Alexander Griboedov went to work, on the way he described in detail his southern journey in his diary. A year later, Griboyedov went on his first business trip to the Shah's court in Persia, where he continued to write travel notes. He described the events of his service in small narrative fragments - this is how the real story of a Russian prisoner, whom Griboedov returned to his homeland from Persia, formed the basis of Vagin's Tale.

"Not a comedy" censored

Alexander Griboedov spent more than a year and a half in the diplomatic service in Persia. Staying in this country depressed him: he often thought about his homeland, friends and theater, dreamed of returning home.

In the autumn of 1821, Griboyedov secured a transfer to Georgia. There he began to write a draft version of the first edition of Woe from Wit - he dreamed of publishing the play and seeing it staged.

In 1823, the writer-diplomat asked General Alexei Yermolov for a vacation and went to Moscow. Here he continued to work on the play "Woe from Wit", wrote the poem "David", composed a dramatic scene in verse "Youth of the Prophet" and created the first edition of the famous waltz in E minor. Together with Pyotr Vyazemsky, Griboyedov wrote a comedy play with couplet songs and dances “Who is a brother, who is a sister, or Deception after deception”.

When Alexander Griboedov finished the comedy Woe from Wit, he decided to present it to the already elderly fabulist Ivan Krylov. For several hours the author read his work to Krylov. He listened in silence, and then said: “The censors will not let this pass. They swagger over my fables. And this is much cooler! In our time, the empress would have sent the first trip to Siberia for this play. ”.

In many ways, Krylov's words turned out to be prophetic. At the request to stage "Woe from Wit" at the theater, Griboyedov was refused, moreover, the comedy was forbidden to be printed. The play was copied by hand and secretly passed from house to house - literary scholars counted 45,000 handwritten copies throughout the country.

The topical play, in which Griboyedov described the struggle of revolutionary youth with an obsolete society, caused heated debate. Some considered it a frank and revealing description of modern high society, others - a pathetic parody that only denigrated the capital's aristocrats.

“This is not a comedy, because there is no plan, no plot, no denouement in it ... It is just a saying in action in which Figaro is resurrected, but, like a copy, is far from the original ... There is no other goal in the play itself to make contempt not a vice, but arouse contempt for only one class of society ... He wanted to express his philosophical and political concepts, but he did not think about anything else.

Dmitry Runich, Trustee of the St. Petersburg Educational District

Peter Karatygin. Alexander Griboyedov. 1858

Many contemporaries believed that representatives of famous noble families served as prototypes for the heroes, whom Griboedov met at balls and holidays in his uncle's estate as a child. In Famusov they saw the owner of the estate, Alexei Griboyedov; in Skalozub - General Ivan Paskevich; in Chatsky - the Decembrist Ivan Yakushkin.

Writer diplomat

In 1825, Alexander Griboedov returned to serve in the Caucasus at Yermolov's headquarters. Here the writer learned about the Decembrist uprising. Many of the conspirators were friends and relatives of Griboedov, so he himself fell under suspicion of involvement in the uprising. In January 1826, Griboyedov was arrested, but the investigation could not prove his belonging to a secret society.

In September 1826, Alexander Griboedov returned to Tiflis and continued his service: he attended diplomatic negotiations with Persia in Deykargan, corresponded with the commander Ivan Paskevich, and together they thought over military operations. In 1828, Griboyedov participated in the conclusion of the Turkmanchay peace treaty with Persia, which was beneficial for Russia.

“During this war, his enormous talents, fully processed by a multilateral correct education, his diplomatic tact and dexterity, his ability to work, huge, complex and requiring great considerations, appeared in all their splendor.”

From "Conversations in the Society of Lovers of Russian Literature"

Alexander Griboyedov delivered the text of the treaty to St. Petersburg. Nicholas I himself received him with honor in the capital. The emperor awarded the writer-diplomat with the rank of State Councilor, the Order of St. Anne, 2nd degree, and appointed him Minister Plenipotentiary in Persia.

Returning to serve in a new position, Griboyedov again stopped in Tiflis, where he married Princess Nina Chavchavadze. They met back in 1822 - then he gave the girl music lessons. Griboyedov lived with his young wife for only a few weeks, as he was forced to return to Persia.

In 1829, during a diplomatic visit to Tehran, 34-year-old Alexander Griboyedov died: a huge crowd, incited by religious fanatics, attacked the house occupied by the Russian embassy. Alexander Griboyedov and his death were not written about in Russia for almost 30 years. Only when “Woe from Wit” was first staged on stage without censored edits, they started talking about him as a great Russian poet. The press began to appear the first information about the diplomatic role of Griboyedov in relations between Russia and Persia and his death.

A.S. Griboyedov is a famous Russian playwright, a brilliant publicist, a successful diplomat, one of the smartest people of his time. He entered as the author of one work - the comedy "Woe from Wit". However, Alexander Sergeevich's work is not limited to writing the famous play. Everything that this man undertook bears the imprint of a unique giftedness. His fate was adorned with extraordinary events. The life and work of Griboedov will be briefly outlined in this article.

Childhood

Griboyedov Alexander Sergeevich was born in 1795, on January 4, in the city of Moscow. He was brought up in a wealthy and well-born family. His father, Sergei Ivanovich, was a retired second major at the time of the boy's birth. Alexander's mother, Anastasia Fedorovna, bore the same maiden name as her married one, Griboedova. The future writer grew up as an unusually developed child. At the age of six, he already knew three foreign languages. In his youth, he became fluent in Italian, German, French and English. (Ancient Greek and Latin) were also an open book to him. In 1803, the boy was sent to a noble boarding school at Moscow University, where he spent three years.

Youth

In 1806, Alexander Sergeevich entered Moscow University. Two years later he became a candidate of verbal sciences. However, Griboyedov, whose life and work are described in this article, did not leave his studies. He entered first the moral and political department, and then the physics and mathematics department. The brilliant abilities of the young man were obvious to everyone. He could have made a great career in science or in the diplomatic field, but war suddenly burst into his life.

Military service

In 1812, Alexander Sergeevich volunteered for the Moscow Hussar Regiment, commanded by Petr Ivanovich Saltykov. Colleagues of the young man were young cornets from the most famous noble families. Until 1815, the writer was in military service. His first literary experiments date back to 1814. Griboedov's work began with the essay "On Cavalry Reserves", the comedy "Young Spouses" and "Letters from Brest-Litovsk to the Publisher".

in the capital

In 1816 Alexander Sergeevich Griboyedov retired. The life and work of the writer began to develop according to a completely different scenario. He met A.S. Pushkin and V.K. Kuchelbecker, became the founder of the Masonic lodge "Du Bien" and got a job in the diplomatic service as a provincial secretary. In the period from 1815 to 1817, Alexander Sergeevich, in collaboration with friends, created several comedies: Student, Feigned Infidelity, His Family or Married Bride. Griboyedov's work is not limited to dramatic experiments. He writes critical articles ("About the analysis of a free translation of the Burger's ballad "Lenora") and composes poetry ("Lubochny Theatre").

On South

In 1818, Alexander Sergeevich refused to work as an official in the United States and was appointed secretary to the tsar's attorney in Persia. Before the trip to Tehran, the playwright finished work on the play "Interlude Samples". Griboyedov, whose work was only gaining popularity, began to keep travel diaries on the way to Tiflis. These recordings revealed another facet of the writer's sparkling talent. He was an original author of ironic travel notes. In 1819, Griboyedov's work was enriched with the poem "Forgive, Fatherland." Around the same time, he was finishing work on "Letter to the publisher from Tiflis dated January 21". Diplomatic activity in Persia weighed heavily on Alexander Sergeevich, and in 1821, for health reasons, he moved to Georgia. Here he became close with Kuchelbecker and made the first rough sketches of the comedy Woe from Wit. In 1822, Griboyedov began work on the drama "1812".

metropolitan life

In 1823, Alexander Sergeevich managed to leave the diplomatic service for a while. He devoted his life to creating continued work on "Woe from Wit", composed the poem "David", the dramatic scene "Youth of the Prophet" and the cheerful vaudeville "Who is brother, who is sister or Deception after deception". Griboyedov's work, briefly described in this article, was not limited to literary activity. In 1823, the first edition of his popular waltz "e-moll" was published. In addition, Alexander Sergeevich published discussion notes in the Desiderata magazine. Here he argues with contemporaries on issues of Russian literature, history and geography.

"Woe from Wit"

In 1824 a great event took place in the history of Russian drama. Finished work on the comedy "Woe from Wit" by A.S. Griboyedov. The work of this talented person will forever remain in the memory of posterity precisely because of this work. The bright and aphoristic style of the play contributed to the fact that it completely "dispersed into quotations."

The comedy combines elements of classicism and innovative for that time realism and romanticism. The merciless satire on the capital's aristocratic society in the first half of the 19th century was striking in its wit. However, the comedy "Woe from Wit" was unconditionally accepted by the Russian public. From now on, everyone recognized and appreciated the literary work of Griboyedov. The play briefly described cannot give a full idea of ​​the genius of this immortal work.

Back to the Caucasus

In 1825, Alexander Sergeevich had to abandon his intention to travel to Europe. The writer needed to return to the service, and at the end of May he went to the Caucasus. There he learned Persian, Georgian, Turkish and Arabic. On the eve of his trip to the south, Griboyedov finished translating the fragment "Prologue at the Theater" from the tragedy "Faust". He also managed to compile notes for the work of D.I. Tsikulin "Unusual adventures and travels ...". On the way to the Caucasus, Alexander Sergeevich visited Kyiv, where he talked with prominent figures of the revolutionary underground: S.P. Trubetskoy, M.P. Bestuzhev-Ryumin. After that, Griboyedov spent some time in the Crimea. Creativity, briefly presented in this article, has received a new development these days. The writer conceived the creation of an epic tragedy about Baptism in Rus' and constantly kept a travel diary, which was published only thirty years after the death of the author.

sudden arrest

After returning to the Caucasus, Alexander Sergeevich wrote "Predators on Chegem" - a poem created under the impression of participation in the expedition of A.A. Velyaminov. However, another fateful event soon happened in the life of a writer. In 1926, in January, he was arrested on suspicion of belonging to a secret society of Decembrists. The freedom, life and work of Griboyedov were under threat. A brief biography of the writer gives an understanding of the incredible tension he was in all these days. The investigation failed to find evidence of Alexander Sergeevich's involvement in the revolutionary movement. Six months later, he was released from custody. Despite the full rehabilitation, the writer was secretly monitored for some time.

last years of life

In 1826, in September, A.S. Griboyedov returned to Tiflis. He again engaged in diplomatic activities. Thanks to his efforts, Russia concluded the profitable Turkmenchay peace treaty. Alexander Sergeevich himself delivered the text of the document to St. Petersburg, received the post of resident minister (ambassador) in Iran and left for his destination. On the way he made a stop in Tiflis. There he met with the grown-up daughter of his friend - Nina Chavchavadze. Struck by the beauty of the young girl, the writer immediately proposed to her. He married Nina a few months later - on August 22, 1828. Alexander Sergeevich took his young wife with him to Persia. This gave the happy spouses a few more weeks of living together.

Tragic death

In Persia, Alexander Sergeevich had to work hard. He constantly visited Tehran, where he conducted diplomatic negotiations in a very tough manner. The Russian emperor demanded inexorable firmness from his ambassador. For this, the Persians called the diplomat "hard-hearted." This policy has brought its tragic results. In 1929, on January 30, the Russian mission was destroyed by a crowd of rebellious fanatics. Thirty-seven people died at the embassy. Among them was A.S. Griboyedov. His torn body was subsequently identified only by his left hand injured in his youth. Thus perished one of the most gifted men of his time.

Griboyedov did not have time to complete many literary projects. Creativity, briefly described in this article, is replete with unfinished works, talented sketches. One can understand what a gifted writer Russia lost at that moment.

The table of life and work of Griboyedov is presented below.

Even an abbreviated sketch of Griboedov's life and work gives an idea of ​​what an outstanding personality Alexander Sergeevich was. His life was short, but surprisingly fruitful. Until the end of his days, he was devoted to the Motherland and died defending its interests. These are the people our country should be proud of.

Alexander Griboyedov

Alexander Sergeevich Griboyedov (1795-1829) - poet, playwright, pianist, composer, diplomat.

Gifted with many talents and not developing any of them, Griboyedov remained for us the author of the only play "Woe from Wit".

Lifetime portrait of Griboyedov by P.A. Karatygin was published in 1858. More precisely, not the portrait itself, but a lithograph by Munster from a drawing by P.F. Borel. The second reliable portrait of Alexander Sergeevich Griboyedov is considered to be a portrait painted in colored pencil in 1824 by the artist M.I. Terebenev (1795-1864). It was engraved by N.I. Utkin.

Alexander Griboyedov, 1858 Artist P.A. Karatygin

Alexander Griboedov, 1829 Engraving by N.I. Utkin

The most famous portrait of A.S. Griboyedov was written in 1873 by I.N. Kramskoy by order of P.M. Tretyakov for his art gallery.

The history of its creation was left to us by a close friend of Kramskoy, the publisher of the magazine "Russian Antiquity" M.I. Semevsky: “Guided by P.A. Karatygin’s oral story about Griboyedov’s appearance, Kramskoy wrote as if “under dictation” and resurrected the appearance of a glorious writer with a talented brush. He showed the portrait on the easel to some people who personally knew Griboedov, and they were all struck by the amazing resemblance and the expression of intelligence and grace that Griboyedov's features breathed.

Griboyedov Alexander Sergeevich is famous only for his one work “Woe from Wit”, but few people know that he is not only a talented Russian writer, but also a civil servant, poet, musician and playwright. Griboyedov's biography is full of events: he was an outstanding cultural figure of the 19th century, but at the same time he gave many years and his very life to the diplomatic service for the benefit of the Russian Empire.

January 15, 1795 (according to some sources) in the family of a wealthy nobleman Sergei Griboedov, the son Alexander was born. Despite his military career, Sergei Ivanovich was not educated, so his wife, Anastasia Fedorovna, was engaged in raising and educating his son.

The child was extremely smart and quickly learned everything, for example, at the age of three Sasha spoke three foreign languages, and in his youth he already spoke six. A brief biography of Griboyedov also contains a mention of his origin from an ancient Polish family.

In 1803, Alexander began to receive an official education at the Moscow boarding school, and upon graduation, three years later, he transferred to the verbal department of the university. In 1808, student Alexander Griboedov received a PhD in verbal sciences and entered the law department of the same university at the age of only 13 years. Two years later, he was awarded the degree of Candidate of Laws, and Alexander Sergeevich focuses on the study of the natural sciences.

During the war with Napoleon, Alexander Griboyedov served in the hussars, but did not take part in the battles. He was in the Russian army in 1812-1815, and then returned to St. Petersburg, leaving his military career. Having become an active member of the Masonic lodge, the former military man begins to engage in literary activities, writes his first works and enters the diplomatic service, receiving the post of secretary. In 1817, the famous duel of Alexander Sergeevich Griboedov with three participants took place: Zavadovsky, Sheremetyev (died) and Yakubovich.

After four years of service, the Russian diplomat lives for some time in Moscow, engages in creativity and publishes in magazines. Griboedov travels around Russia, in particular, visits the Crimea, and in the winter of 1826 he is arrested because of his connection with the Decembrists. After a complete acquittal, Alexander Sergeevich returned to the diplomatic service, where he died in 1829.

Diplomatic work

In 1818, Griboyedov received his first diplomatic appointment in Tehran. It is here that he finishes several of his poems and receives an invitation for his first visit to the Shah.

The activities of the Russian diplomat are highly appreciated by historians, according to whom, it is to him that the Russian Empire owes the conclusion of a truce in the Persian-Russian war.

Another, longer, for a year and a half, trip to Persia was carried out in January 1820, after which Alexander Sergeevich asked for a transfer to Georgia, the request was granted, and it was there that his main work was written -. After the vacation, the diplomat again becomes the secretary of the Russian embassy in Tiflis, but a year later he leaves the service and returns to Moscow, where he lived for more than two years.

At this time, he was accused of having links with the Decembrists, and after being acquitted, he was again sent as a diplomat to Persia, where, after a couple of years, he died in the Tehran massacre of 1829.

Creation

The prose writer and literary critic Y. Tynyanov classifies Griboedov as a writer among the younger archaists - the direction of the early 19th century in Russian literature, which was characterized by the formation of the literary Russian language.

The main thing in their works is the basis of traditionalism and nationalism. The path of the writer was extremely fruitful and began as a student: he wrote poems and parodies of already known stories.

After graduating from the university, he published his first works in magazines, and in 1815 the first comedy was published. In general, this genre was loved by Alexander Sergeevich, he studied European comedies and wrote parodies on them in Russian, remaking them in his own way. Such works were liked by the public and were often performed in theaters as separate plays. The summary of any of his comedies contained a description of several characters and the wit of the author. In addition, the writer used the features and techniques of parody:

• household context;
• exaggeration;
• descriptive terms without precision.

In the center of the work of Alexander Sergeevich, there is always a bearer of classical consciousness - life knowledge is taken from books, and the events around are refracted through the prism of what is read. Real life for the hero is not as interesting as the events in the book. This trait can be seen in many heroes.

Interesting to know! The idea of ​​the comedy "Woe from Wit" was hatched for a long time by the author, but could not start creating it due to constant employment in the service. Once, during a horseback ride, the writer fell off his horse and broke his arm. Such a forced break in work became the time for writing a brilliant work.

In addition to the glory of the Russian writer, Alexander Sergeevich also has fame in musical circles. He is the author of several piano pieces, a couple of waltzes, and also a sonata. His musical creations are filled with harmony, harmony and conciseness. Unfortunately, his piano sonata has not been preserved, but it was the most serious and voluminous work of the writer. But the waltz in the key of E minor of his authorship is considered the first truly Russian piece of music.

Artworks

Griboedov gained world fame after the publication of the comedy Woe from Wit, but he began to publish long before it, and to write while still a student. The first published works were the texts "On Cavalry Reserves" and "Letter to the Editor".

The writer collaborated several times with other writers, creating joint works (“Feigned Infidelity”, “His Family”), and was also on friendly terms with. In addition, he communicated and corresponded with many literary figures of that time.

The famous work “Woe from Wit” became known to the public in 1824, and was first published without censorship in 1862 and today is considered the peak creation of drama in Russia, which has not lost its relevance to this day. Its summary is known to everyone: the play tells about Chatsky's love for Sofya Famusova and the cruel disappointment that befell the protagonist when he gets to know Russian society better.

Four years after the creation of his most famous comedy, the author dies, so everything that was conceived after it was either not published, because it was not finalized and was only an outline, or lost. Only scenes from dramas created by him at that time are known: “1812” and “Rodamist and Zenobia”.

Despite the masterful disclosure of comedy plots, an analysis of all the works of Alexander Sergeevich shows that he was able to create a truly high tragedy, and his prose works testify to his development as an original and talented author in all genres.

Useful video: A.S. Griboyedov - short biography

Doom

In 1828, in the city of Tiflis, the writer marries the beautiful Nina Chavchavadze, who was only 15 years old. Relations between the empire and Turkey at this time are seriously aggravated, and an experienced diplomat is required for the Russian mission in Tehran. Griboyedov is elected to this position, who is sent there to serve.

Interesting to know! There is a legend that during the wedding, Alexander Sergeevich dropped the ring - this sign was considered a bad omen for the future family.

Arriving in Persia and leaving his young wife in Tabriz (later she returned to Georgia on her own), Alexander Sergeevich went to Tehran on duty of his diplomatic service.

They were supposed to introduce themselves to Feth Ali Shah and fulfill their obligations - to convince the shah to pay indemnity for the defeat in the Russian-Persian war, but the situation in the city was too alarming.

The fact is that one of the results of the Russian victory over the Persians was the guarantee of free resettlement of willing Armenians to their homeland - to Armenia, which became part of the Russian Empire. The Persians were angry with the Russians because of the need not only to pay them money, but also to lose part of the population. The situation reached a fever pitch when the treasurer of the shah's court and several women, relatives of the shah, asked for asylum at the Russian embassy. The ruler was concerned about a possible leak of information (according to rumors, the eunuch also robbed him) and demanded that the fugitives be handed over to him, to which Griboyedov refused. Then the government of Tehran decided to use the surest means - Islamic fanatics and turned them against the Russians.

On February 11, 1829, fueled by hatred for non-Christians and conquerors, a thousand angry crowd of Islamists began an assault on the Russian embassy. Despite the defense, the embassy was taken, and 37 Russian representatives, along with 19 residents of Tehran, were killed, Griboyedov died along with his people. Only secretary Ivan Maltsov survived, who witnessed all the events. The extreme cruelty of the attackers can be said by the fact that Alexander Sergeevich could only be identified by the scar on his arm left after the duel, the body was so badly disfigured.

Useful video: interesting facts about Griboyedov

Conclusion

Alexander Sergeevich Griboyedov was buried in Tiflis in a mountain grotto not far from the Church of St. David. The widow erected a large monument there, and Pushkin visited the grave in 1829. The conflict itself was settled with rich gifts to Emperor Nicholas I: the Shah's grandson arrived personally and brought, among other things, the famous large Shah diamond, which became the price for the lives of 37 Russian diplomats.

In contact with

AS Griboyedov opened a brilliant page of Russian literature. A brilliant writer, he made an invaluable contribution to the development of national culture. The comedy "Woe from Wit" is truly priceless. Even in our time, it has not lost its moral and educational power and was included in the list of "100 must-read books." Griboyedov Alexander Sergeevich created this great work because he was faithful to the truth of life and, as a writer and thinker, sought inspiration in the most progressive ideas of his time.

Mother

The ancestors of Griboyedov Alexander Sergeevich have been known since 1614, when M.E. Griboyedov received land in the Vyazemsky state. He was very rich, and his three sons were at court. Tsar Alexei in 1648 appointed Fyodor to write the Cathedral Code. The son of Fyodor Semyon reached the high rank of colonel. He had no children, so he transferred his possessions to his nephew Gerasim. In this estate, the grandfather of the future writer was born on his mother's side. After the service, Fedor settled in Khmelit and turned an ordinary estate into a palace ensemble.

Khmelity became one of the most beautiful estates in the country. The house is luxuriously arranged: about fifty rooms, an art gallery, a library and a theater. Fedor's children were taught to write in German, French and a little Russian. After the death of Fedor, his wife moved to Moscow, thinking only about how to attach her four daughters. She arranged three of them quite successfully, but it was hard for Nastasya to find a groom. And her mother gave her away for the first wast and gambler Sergey Griboyedov who turned up. But no one dared to condemn her, since he was a noble family and, moreover, a relative.

Father

Another branch of the Griboyedovs settled in Vladimir. Lukyan, the founder of the family, owned one village. His children and grandchildren did not particularly succeed. One of the great-grandchildren, Ivan, did not receive a good education and was enrolled in the Preobrazhensky Regiment, at that time peasants were already taken there. After the service, he held a high post, and in 1792 their family was included in the list of noble families. One of his sons, Sergei, did not enjoy the special love of his father and entered the dragoon regiment at the age of 14. Sergei Ivanovich was successfully promoted, but was an avid gambler.

His father refused to pay his debts, and Sergei could only profitably marry. In 1791 he married N. F. Griboedova. Soon they had a daughter. Sergei continued to play cards. And in 1795, when Griboyedov Alexander Sergeevich was born (photo above), the inheritance inherited by his mother from his parents quickly began to melt - Sergey lost everything he had acquired. After the death of his father, he got two villages, and his grandmother “sold” the village of Sushnevo to little Alexander. Soon the well-being of the family was restored.

Childhood

In Timerevo, where Sergei and Nastasya Griboyedov settled, there were no teachers, and it was expensive to invite them from Moscow. Grandmother brought books to children from the capital, they learned to read in their native language. The real study began after moving to the capital, to the Lachinovs' house. Children were taught Latin, German, French, music, dance. Little Sasha's tutor introduced the pupil to German literature. The whole eminent family, including aunts and uncles, spent the summer in Khmelity, where the theater was the main entertainment. Alexander Sergeevich Griboyedov was too small for performances, but he was present at all rehearsals and was familiar with Russian plays and operas.

In autumn they returned to Moscow. In 1803, Alexander was enrolled in a boarding school at Moscow University. Boys from eight to thirteen years old from noble families studied here. In addition to basic subjects, students were taught painting, fencing, music, dancing, drawing, horseback riding. In 1804, Nastasya Feodorovna decided that it was harmful for her son to be in a room crowded with children, and university teachers began to go to their homes. In 1806, home lessons ceased, as they did not give any rank in the future. And the boy at the age of eleven was sent to Moscow University, where teaching was conducted, including by foreign teachers.

Years of study

Griboedov spoke three languages ​​fluently, and his choice of lectures depended only on his desire. In the evenings, Alexander visited the theater, became seriously interested in music and took lessons from I. Miller. He was entering adulthood, and it was necessary to take care of the future. His father was not known, and Nastasya Fedorovna decided to fill this gap and took the children to friends. Alexander Sergeevich Griboedov could observe great people not only at home, but also on Tverskoy Boulevard, where the whole society gathered. Karamzin and the poet Dmitriev, actors and wealthy merchants rode here in any weather.

For two courses at the university, he studied mediocrely. But his mother insisted on an examination, and in 1808, after the tests, Griboyedov was proclaimed a candidate of literature. After much thought about where to place her son next, she decided to leave him at Moscow University. He was glad of this - he studied during the day, in the evenings he also visited the theater and went with his mother to balls. In the winter of 1808, they began to dance the newfangled waltz and French quadrille, and Nastasya Fedorovna began to take children to dance classes at the Pushkins' house. The nine-year-old master's son Sasha did not participate in the dances, but Sasha Griboyedov had to dance with girls older and taller than him, since he could not disobey his mother.

At the university, he was a free listener and preferred the lectures of I. Bule, a world-famous literary scholar. Griboedov did not miss a single lesson, the Chaadaev brothers, Prince Shcherbatov attended them with him.

Attempt at writing

In the fall, Griboyedov Alexander Sergeevich was to enter the Collegium of Foreign Affairs. But the mother was afraid to let her son go to St. Petersburg, and it was decided that he would remain at the university and prepare for a doctorate. In the new academic year, Alexander attended a course on political subjects. Their former company broke up, and soon new friends appeared - the brothers Vsevolzhsky and Muravyov. At the university, meanwhile, a denunciation was written on Bule, and he was forced to leave the department of literature.

Everyone was sincerely upset, and Griboedov, under the influence of strong feelings, took up the pen and wrote "Dmitry Dryansky" - a comic tragedy. According to friends, the play turned out to be good, but Alexander read it only in a close circle. In 1812, Griboyedov's uncle Alexei received a letter informing him that war with Bonaparte was imminent. Griboedov's friends left to serve, and he dreamed of going there after them. But Nastasya Fedorovna did not let her son go.

Service in the Hussars

When it became known that Napoleon had crossed the border, Alexander, secretly from his mother, persuaded Count Saltykov to take him to his regiment. Mother rushed around Moscow and threw a scandal. An interesting fact: Alexander Sergeevich Griboedov was enrolled in cornets against the wishes of an influential mother. Saltykov understood the young man and, at his own peril and risk, took him to his regiment. Nastasya Fedorovna resigned herself, especially since the volunteers were left to themselves, and Alexander lived at home for the time being. In the picturesque hussar uniform, he seduced not only the ladies, Chaadaev and Genisien also joined the hussar regiment. When the Saltykovsky regiment moved to Kazan, Griboyedov caught a cold and stayed in Moscow. He was sick all winter. During this time, the regiment was disbanded, and he was part of the Irkutsk Hussars.

After the battle for Moscow, his health improved a little, so he went to the regiment. On the way, the young man was horrified to see the desolation that reigned, at every step everything reminded of the great battle of the two armies. Griboyedov was ashamed that he could not defend Moscow, and he hastened to join the campaign in Europe. He overtook his regiment in Kobrin. They received him well, his acquaintances were glad to see the witty Griboyedov, the officers were delighted with the excellent rider and swordsman, and when it became known about his uncle's horse farm, he was in good standing with the command.

General Kologrivov suggested that Alexander go to the headquarters, but soon wondered how a young man with such a strict upbringing and flexible mind could become such a desperate rake, allowing himself antics that made Andrei Semenovich's hair stand on end. Once Griboyedov Alexander Sergeevich came to serve in a Catholic monastery, climbed into the choirs, kicked out the organist and played spiritual melodies with great skill. But at the most solemn moment, under the vaults of the church, the Russian Kamarinskaya burst out. If it was someone else, the general would immediately send him to the guardhouse, but Alexander got away with it.

First transfers

The war was coming to an end. Once, while riding on ice-covered ground, Alexander's horse stumbled, the rider flew over his head and hit his chest. And although the bones remained intact, internal pains put Griboyedov to bed for a long time. He read a lot, but the books soon bored him. Friends could not often visit him, being away on duty. Salvation at this moment of life for Alexander Sergeevich Griboyedov was the arrival of L. Lazarev, the youngest son of the founder of the Institute of Oriental Languages. Lazarus was a serious young man with an excellent command of European and Oriental languages, and the young people enthusiastically took up the study of languages.

Alexander tried to return to poetry, but could not. In the army, he was kept only by the picture of burned Moscow that stood before his eyes. And Stepan, Kologrivov's nephew, gave him good advice - to translate some comedy from a foreign language and give it to the theater. He also brought a volume of the French playwright C. Lesser. Alexander became interested in work, tried to compose more himself. After the victory, celebrations took place in Brest, and Griboedov was instructed to describe them. Four days later, a letter was sent to the publisher, where the events were described both in prose and in verse. The lines came out chaotic, sometimes short, sometimes long. Then Zhukovsky tried to create in this style.

The beginning of creativity

When the celebrations subsided, and Alexander got bored with Brest, he asked for a vacation and drove off to St. Petersburg. He liked the city, he plunged into the world of the theater, made several literary acquaintances. After waiting for the toboggan path, he went back to the regiment. In winter, in complete idleness, Alexander was desperately bored, Stepan found the translation of Lesser that he had begun and asked his friend to complete it. Griboyedov remade the play in his own way and sent it to Shakhovsky in St. Petersburg. He was delighted with the play in verse "The Young Spouses" and asked Griboyedov to come to St. Petersburg.

Encouraged by the success, Griboyedov next translated Bart's play "Feigned Infidelity", and together with Katenin wrote the play "Student". In 1816, he sketched several scenes from the comedy Woe from Wit. Alexander Sergeevich Griboyedov led a rather free life in St. Petersburg, which haunted his family. In June 1817, he received a resignation from military service and was assigned as a translator to the Collegium of Foreign Affairs.

Business trip to Tehran

Griboyedov in the Collegium quickly gained respect. He was listed as a translator, but translated very little himself. While on duty, he was happy to suggest this or that expression to his colleagues. No one knew as many languages ​​as Alexander Sergeevich Griboedov knew. The glory of the polyglot reached the minister. Soon he asked Griboedov if he knew Greek and, having received a negative answer, recommended filling this gap. And Griboyedov enthusiastically began to learn the Greek language.

In April 1818, he was called to the Asiatic department and offered a position as a diplomat in the newly created Russian mission in Persia. Griboyedov was shocked, and Sturdza offered him a choice: Tehran or Philadelphia in America. Griboedov went to the minister to say that he would be more willing to stay in Russia, but the latter, in response, introduced him to the head of the Persian mission, Mazarovich. After his departure, Griboedov did not stay long in St. Petersburg and, in the depths of his soul, hoped that something would change and that he would not have to go anywhere.

"Woe from Wit"

In the summer of 1818, Griboedov went to Tehran and arrived there on March 8, 1819. Throughout the long journey, he kept travel notes, later published as a separate book. Alexander Sergeevich Griboyedov foresaw that clouds were gathering over his head, and on August 24 he made a prophetic entry in his diary: “I will lay down my head for my compatriots.” He spent three years in Persia, learning to perfection not only Persian, but also Arabic. I read a lot about the customs and customs of the country in order to know the character of this people, insidious and treacherous. The character of Griboedov also changed, he lost his youthful carelessness and cheerfulness, became more restrained and modest.

Life away from his homeland also brought its benefits - he resolutely took up the play "Woe from Wit" he had begun. In 1821, Griboyedov was sent to Tiflis to report on the war that had begun between Turkey and Persia. In Tiflis, Griboyedov completed the first two acts of the comedy. In March 1824 he took a vacation that lasted for two years. He went to Moscow, where he graduated from the comedy. In St. Petersburg, Griboedov for the first time read "Woe from Wit", the comedy was met with a triumph. But they still didn’t allow her to be put on stage, since she “shakes the foundations of the nobility.” Only in 1829 did Griboyedov manage to see the comedy on stage.

"Georgian night"

In March 1825, the vacation ended, and Griboyedov went to the Caucasus through Kyiv, and then to the Crimea. Acquaintances and communication in St. Petersburg with the Decembrists were not in vain, a courier came to the Crimea for Griboyedov to arrest him. He also accompanied him to Moscow. Four months later, Griboedov was released, and he went to Persia. The Turko-Persian war ended, which resulted in the annexation of the north-east of Armenia to Russia. In February 1828, Griboyedov went to Moscow to present the Treaty of Turkmenchay to the sovereign. The emperor granted the messenger the Order of St. Anne, the post of State Councilor and four thousand chervonets.

While still in the Caucasus, Griboedov conceived a new work in the spirit of Shakespeare's tragedy Georgian Night. Alexander Sergeevich Griboedov read excerpts from the work many times in St. Petersburg. Soon he was appointed minister-resident in Persia. Immediately he went to Gendre and said: "They will cut us all there." And in early June, Griboyedov left St. Petersburg. In Tiflis, a great event awaited him - at the age of 33, Griboedov married the sixteen-year-old daughter of Prince Chavchavadze, Nina Alexandrovna. The wedding took place on August 22, and on October 7, the young people arrived in Tabriz, where Griboedov said goodbye to his wife forever.

Massacre at the embassy

A diplomat requires tact, pliability, cunning. And Griboedov, with his pride and pride, had a hard time. In Tehran, he did not care much about observing local etiquette, breaking it at every turn. Relations with the Persians were tense, but before the departure of the embassy to Russia, the shah bestowed generous gifts on everyone. Griboyedov, meanwhile, made efforts to free the prisoners. But the last straw that overflowed the cup was the statement of the Armenian Yakub, who for several years was in charge of the shah's harem, and then appeared at the embassy and expressed a desire to return to Russia.

The shah became angry, mob covered the gates and roofs of the embassy, ​​threw stones, demanding the return of the prisoners and Mirza-Yakub. The Cossacks who were in the embassy fired back, but the forces were unequal. In total, on January 30, 1829, 37 Russians and 19 residents of Tehran were killed. The bodies of the dead were taken outside the city wall and covered with earth. After some time, the body of Griboyedov was dug up, it was so mutilated that they recognized him only by his little finger that was reduced (Griboyedov was wounded in the hand in a duel). In a simple coffin, the deceased was sent to Russia. So, in his younger years, the life of Griboyedov Alexander Sergeevich was cut short - at thirty-four years old. Such a short but vibrant life.