Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin is a famous Russian writer, a representative of sentimentalism, an outstanding historian and thinker, an educator. His main merit is to his native Fatherland, the peak life path, is a 12-volume work "History of the Russian State". Perhaps the only one of the Russian historians, treated kindly by the highest royal mercy, who had the official status of a historiographer, created especially for him.
Biography of Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin (12/1/1776 - 5/22/1826) briefly
Nikolai Karamzin was born on December 1, 1766 in the family estate of Znamenskoye, not far from Simbirsk in a rich noble family. Elementary education, highly versatile, received at home. At the age of 13, he was sent to the private boarding school Shaden in Moscow. In 1782, his father, a retired officer, insisted that his son try his hand at military service, so Nikolai ended up in the Preobrazhensky Guards Regiment for two years. Realizing that he was not at all interested in a military career, he retired. Not feeling the need to engage in an unloved business in order to obtain daily bread, he begins to do what interests him - literature. First as a translator, then he tries himself as an author.
Karamzin - publisher and writer
During the same period in Moscow, he closely converged with a circle of Masons, was friends with the publisher and educator Novikov. Passionate about studying the most different directions in philosophy and for a more complete acquaintance with the French and German Enlightenment travels to Western Europe. His journey coincided with the Great french revolution, Karamzin even witnesses these events and, at first, perceives them with great enthusiasm.
Returning to Russia, he publishes Letters from a Russian Traveler. This work is a reflection thinking person about destinies European culture. The medieval dogma about a person as a subject to someone's supreme mind has been overthrown from its pedestal. It is replaced by the thesis of individual freedom as such, and Karamzin welcomes this theory with all his heart. In 1792, he published in his own literary magazine "Moscow Journal", the story " Poor Lisa”, in which he develops the theory of personal equality, regardless of social status. In addition to the literary merits of the story, it is valuable for Russian literature because it was written and published in Russian.
The beginning of the reign of the emperor coincided with the beginning of the publication by Karamzin of the journal “Bulletin of Europe”, the motto of which was “Russia is Europe”. The materials published in the journal impressed the views of Alexander I, so he reacted favorably to Karamzin's desire to write a history of Russia. Not only did he give permission, but by personal decree he appointed Karamzin a historiographer with a decent pension of 2,000 rubles, so that he could work with all his dedication on a grandiose historical work. Since 1804, Nikolai Mikhailovich has been engaged only in compiling the History of the Russian State. The emperor gives him permission to work to collect materials in the archives. He was always ready to grant an audience and be sure to report the slightest difficulty, if any.
The first 8 volumes of the "History" were published in 1818 and were sold out in just a month. called the event "quite exceptional." Interest in the historical work of Karamzin was enormous, and although he managed to describe historical events from the first mention of Slavic tribes only before the Time of Troubles, which amounted to 12 volumes, the significance of this historical work cannot be overestimated. This grandiose work was the basis of almost all subsequent fundamental works on the history of Russia. Unfortunately, Karamzin himself did not see his work published in full. He died from a cold that he received after spending the whole day on Senate Square in St. Petersburg during. This happened on May 22, 1826.
Russian writer, founder of Russian sentimentalism. The creator of the "History of the Russian State" (1803 - 1826), the first review work that opened the history of the general public.
The first eight volumes of "History", which became the main scientific and cultural feat of N. M. Karamzin, were published in 1818. In 1821, the 9th volume was published, dedicated to the reign of Ivan IV the Terrible, in 1824 - the 10th and 11th, about Fedor I Ivanovich and Boris Godunov. The death of N. M. Karamzin on May 22 (June 3), 1826, interrupted his work on the 12th volume of History, which was published only in 1829.
The literary activity of N. M. Karamzin played big role in the development of Russian literature of the problem of personality, in the improvement artistic means Images inner peace human, in the development of the Russian literary language. His early prose had a significant influence on the work of K. N. Batyushkov, young. "The History of the Russian State" became not only a significant historical work, but also a major phenomenon in Russian artistic prose, served as the main source for Pushkin's "Boris Godunov" and Russian historical drama of the 1830s.
Nikolai Karamzin, whose biography begins on December 1, 1766, was born in a poor noble family of educated and enlightened parents. He received his first education in the private boarding school of Professor Shaden. After that, like many other secular young people, he went to serve in the guards regiment, which was considered one of the best.
It was at this time that Nikolai Karamzin, short biography which is presented in this article, for the first time clearly realizes the need for his own path, different from the usual: a successful career, position in society, ranks and honors. All this did not attract the future writer at all. Having served in the army less than a year, he retired in 1784 in the low rank of lieutenant and returned to his native Simbirsk.
Life in provincial Simbirsk
Outwardly, Karamzin lives a chaotic, scattered life of a secular man, shining with metropolitan manners and gallant treatment of ladies. Nikolai Mikhailovich dresses fashionably, takes care of his appearance, plays cards. At provincial balls he was a dexterous and brilliant cavalier. But all this is just external manifestations his character.
At this time, Karamzin, whose biography is rich in quite unexpected twists and events, seriously thinks about his place in life, reads a lot, meets interesting people. He has already received a good education, but continues to develop, acquiring new knowledge in various fields. Most of all Karamzin is interested in history, literature and philosophy.
Family friend Ivan Petrovich Turgenev, Freemason and writer, who was in great friendship with Nikolai Ivanovich Novikov (who was also a Freemason, a talented journalist, book publisher and satirical writer), played a certain role in the life of the future writer. On his advice, Nikolai Mikhailovich moved to Moscow and became acquainted with Novikov's circle. This is how it started new period in his life spanning from 1785 to 1789. Let's say a few words about it separately.
Getting to know the Masons
Four years of communication with the circle of Masons greatly changed the image of Karamzin, his life and thinking. Note that in Russia it has not yet been fully studied. It long time viewed by science as largely reactionary. However, in recent years, the point of view on this movement has changed somewhat.
Masonic lodges are special moral and religious circles, founded for the first time in England in the eighteenth century, and later in other states, including our country. At the heart of the code that the Masons professed is the need for spiritual self-improvement of a person. They also had their political programs, largely associated with religious and moral. The activities of the Freemasons were characterized by theatrical rituals, mystery, chivalrous and other rituals that had a mystical connotation. She was saturated intellectually and spiritually, distinguished by high moral principles and seriousness. The Masons kept themselves apart. Here is the one described in in general terms Since then, the atmosphere has surrounded Karamzin. He started talking to interesting people: Nikolai Ivanovich Novikov (see photo below) and Alexei Mikhailovich Kutuzov. Influence so extraordinary personalities gave powerful push to the development of writing talent and its creative self-determination.
First, Karamzin translates into Russian fiction and later starts writing for a magazine" Children's reading", the publisher of which was Nikolai Ivanovich Novikov, his first poetic works. It was during this period that he realized his writing talent.
But now the period of self-determination ends, and with it the Masonic period of the young writer's life. Framework Masonic lodges become cramped for him, he wants to know life in its richness, diversity and diversity. To become a professional writer, you need to own experience experience its good and bad sides. Therefore, Karamzin, whose biography is considered in the framework of this publication, leaves the Masons and goes on a journey.
Euro-trip
To do this, Nikolai Mikhailovich mortgaged his ancestral estate and decided to spend all the money received on a trip to Europe in order to describe it later. It was a very bold and unusual step for that time. Indeed, for Karamzin, it meant giving up living on the income from the hereditary estate and providing for himself at the expense of the labor of serfs. Now Nikolai Mikhailovich had to earn a living by his own work as a professional writer.
Abroad, he spent about a year and a half, traveling around Switzerland, Germany, England and France. Karamzin, whose biography is described in this article, got acquainted with interesting and prominent people these states, not feeling like a provincial at all, representing their country with dignity. He watched, he listened, he wrote. Nikolai Mikhailovich was attracted by the dwellings of people, historical monuments, factories, universities, street festivities, taverns,
He evaluated and compared the characters and customs of a particular nationality, studied the features of speech, wrote down descriptions in his book street scenes, kept records of various conversations and his own reflections. In the autumn of 1790, Karamzin returned to Russia, after which he began to publish the Moscow Journal, where he placed his articles, novels, and poems. The famous "Letters of a Russian Traveler" and "Poor Liza" which brought him great fame were printed here.
Edition of almanacs
Over the next few years, Nikolai Mikhailovich published almanacs, among which was the three-volume almanac "Aonides", written in verse, as well as the collection "My trinkets", which includes various stories and poems. Fame comes to Karamzin. He is known and loved not only in two capitals (St. Petersburg and Moscow), but throughout Russia.
Historical story "Marfa Posadnitsa"
One of the first works of Karamzin written in prose is "Marfa Posadnitsa" published in 1803 (genre - historical story). It was written long before the fascination with the novels of Walter Scott began in Russia. This story showed Karamzin's attraction to antiquity, the classics as an unattainable ideal of morality, which was outlined as early as the mid-1790s in the utopia "Athenian Life".
In an epic, antique form, the struggle of the Novgorodians with Moscow was presented in his work by Nikolai Karamzin. Posadnitsa touched upon important ideological issues: about the monarchy and the republic, about the people and leaders, about the "divine" historical predestination and disobedience to it individual. The author's sympathies were clearly on the side of the people of Novgorod and Martha, and not of monarchist Moscow. This story also revealed the ideological contradictions of the writer. historical truth was undoubtedly on the side of the Novgorodians. However, Novgorod is doomed, bad omens are harbingers of the imminent death of the city, and later they are justified.
The story of "Poor Liza"
But greatest success had a story "Poor Lisa", published in 1792. Frequently found in Western literature In the eighteenth century, the story of how a nobleman seduced a peasant woman or a bourgeois woman was first developed in Russian literature in this story by Karamzin. Biography morally pure, beautiful girl, as well as the idea that such tragic fates can also be found in the reality around us, contributed to the huge success of this work. It was also important that N.M. Karamzin ("Poor Liza" became his " calling card") taught his readers to notice beauty native nature and love her. The humanistic orientation of the work was invaluable for the literature of that time.
The story "Natalya, the boyar's daughter"
In the same year, 1792, the story "Natalia, the Boyar's Daughter" was born. It is not as well known as "Poor Liza", but it touches on very important moral questions, which worried contemporaries N.M. Karamzin. One of the most important in the work is the problem of honor.
Alexei, beloved of Natalia, was honest man who served the Russian Tsar. Therefore, he confessed to his "crime", that he had kidnapped the daughter of Matvey Andreev, the sovereign's beloved boyar. But the tsar blesses their marriage, seeing that Alexei - worthy person. The girl's father does the same. Finishing the story, the author writes that the newlyweds lived happily ever after and were buried together. They were distinguished by devotion to the sovereign.
In the story created by Karamzin ("The Boyar's Daughter"), the question of honor is inseparable from service to the tsar. Happy is he whom the sovereign loves. Therefore, the life of this family is so successful, because virtue is rewarded.
Deserved fame
Provincial youth read the works of Karamzin. Inherent in it works easy, conversational, natural style, graceful and at the same time democratic artistic manner were revolutionary in terms of the perception of works by the public. For the first time, the concept of fascinating, interesting reading is being formed, and with it the literary worship of the author.
Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin, whose biography and work attracted many people, enjoys great fame. Enthusiastic young people from all over the country come to Moscow just to look at their favorite writer. Lizin Pond, which became famous due to the events of the story "Poor Lisa" taking place here, located in the village of Kolomenskoye near Moscow, begins to play the role of a symbolic place, people come here to confess their love or mourn alone.
Work on the "History of the Russian State"
After some time, Karamzin abruptly and unexpectedly changes his life. Leaving fiction, it is taken as a huge historical work- "History of the Russian State". The idea of this work, apparently, had long since matured in his imagination.
At the beginning of the nineteenth century began his favorite grandson of Catherine II. At first he was a liberal and enlightened ruler. IN historical narratives even such a name as "Alexandrov's spring" was included.
Friend of Karamzin and former teacher young emperor M.N. Muravyov petitioned for Nikolai Mikhailovich to be appointed to the post of court historiographer. Such an appointment was very important for Karamzin and revealed to him huge opportunities. Now he received a pension (as we know, the writer had no other means of subsistence). But most importantly, he was given access to historical archives, which were of great importance. Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin, whose biography is presented to your attention, plunged headlong into the work: he read manuscripts and books on history, sorted out ancient folios, wrote out, compared.
It is hard to imagine what a great job the historian Karamzin did. Indeed, the creation of twelve volumes of his "History of the Russian State" took twenty-three years of hard work, from 1803 to 1826. Presentation historical events differed, as far as possible, impartiality and reliability, as well as an excellent artistic style. The narrative was brought to the "time of troubles" in the history of the Russian state. The death of Nikolai Mikhailovich did not allow the implementation of a large-scale plan to the end.
The works of Karamzin, his works, published in twelve volumes, followed one after another, caused numerous reader responses. Perhaps for the first time in history, a printed book provoked such a surge in the inhabitants of Russia. Karamzin opened his history to the people, explained his past.
The content of the work was perceived very ambiguously. Thus, freedom-loving youth was inclined to challenge the support of the monarchical system, which was shown on the pages of the "History of the Russian State" by the historian Karamzin. And the young Pushkin even wrote daring epigrams for a respectable historian in those years. In his opinion, this work proved "the necessity of autocracy and the charms of the whip."
Karamzin, whose books left no one indifferent, was always restrained in response to criticism, calmly perceived both ridicule and praise.
Opinion on the "History of the Russian State" by A.S. Pushkin
Having moved to live in St. Petersburg, starting from 1816, he spends every summer in Tsarskoye Selo with his family. The Karamzins are hospitable hosts who receive such famous poets like Vyazemsky, Zhukovsky and Batyushkov, as well as educated youth. Young A.S. often visited here. Pushkin, listening with rapture to how the elders read poetry, caring for his wife N.M. Karamzin, no longer young, but charming and smart woman, to which he even dared to send a declaration of love. Wise and experienced Karamzin forgave the trick young man, as well as his impudent epigrams on "History".
Ten years later, Pushkin, already being mature man, look at it differently great work Nikolai Mikhailovich. In 1826, while in exile in Mikhailovskoye, he wrote in a "Note on public education"that the history of Russia should be taught according to Karamzin, and will call this work not only the work of a great historian, but also the feat of an honest man.
On the part of Alexander Sergeevich, this was not a gesture of loyalty towards the authorities with the hope of pardon and return from exile. Far from it, because a year later, after his return, Pushkin will again return to the "History", in Once again appreciating her.
last years of life
Karamzin's characterization would be incomplete without a description recent years life. The last ten years have passed very happily. He was friends with the tsar himself, Alexander I. Friends often walked together in Tsarskoye Selo park, talking for a long time, peacefully and sedately. It is quite possible that the emperor, realizing the nobility and decency of Nikolai Mikhailovich, told him much more than the palace officials. Karamzin often disagreed with the arguments and thoughts of Alexander I. However, he did not take offense at all, but listened carefully and took note. "A note on the ancient and new Russia", which the writer handed over to the emperor, contains many points in which the historian did not agree with the policy of the government of that time.
Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin, whose books were very popular during his lifetime, did not aspire to either awards or ranks. True, it must be said that he had, to which, however, he always treated with light irony and humor.
Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin - famous Russian writer, historian, largest representative era of sentimentalism, reformer of the Russian language, publisher. With his submission, the vocabulary was enriched with a large number of new crippled words.
The famous writer was born on December 12 (December 1, according to the old style), 1766, in a manor located in the Simbirsk district. The noble father took care of home education son, after which Nikolai continued to study first at the Simbirsk noble boarding school, then from 1778 - at the boarding school of Professor Shaden (Moscow). During 1781-1782. Karamzin attended university lectures.
The father wanted Nikolai to enter the military service after boarding school - the son fulfilled his desire, in 1781 being in the St. Petersburg Guards Regiment. It was during these years that Karamzin first tried himself in the literary field, in 1783 he translated from German. In 1784, after the death of his father, having retired with the rank of lieutenant, he finally parted with military service. Living in Simbirsk, he joined the Masonic lodge.
Since 1785 Karamzin's biography has been connected with Moscow. In this city, he meets N.I. Novikov and other writers, joins the "Friendly Scientific Society", settles in his house, further collaborates with members of the circle in various publications, in particular, takes part in the publication of the magazine "Children's Reading for the Heart and Mind", which became the first Russian magazine for children.
Throughout the year (1789-1790) Karamzin traveled around the countries Western Europe, where he met not only with prominent figures of the Masonic movement, but also with great thinkers, in particular, with Kant, I.G. Herder, J. F. Marmontel. The impressions from the trips formed the basis of the future famous Letters of a Russian Traveler. This story (1791-1792) appeared in the Moscow Journal, which N.M. Karamzin began to publish upon arrival at home, and brought the author great fame. A number of philologists believe that modern Russian literature is counting precisely from the "Letters".
The story "Poor Liza" (1792) strengthened the literary authority of Karamzin. Subsequently published collections and almanacs "Aglaya", "Aonides", "My trinkets", "Pantheon of Foreign Literature" opened the era of sentimentalism in Russian literature, and it was N.M. Karamzin was at the head of the current; under the influence of his works, they wrote V.A. Zhukovsky, K.N. Batyushkov, as well as A.S. Pushkin at the beginning of his career.
A new period in the biography of Karamzin as a person and writer is associated with the accession to the throne of Alexander I. In October 1803, the emperor appoints the writer as an official historiographer, and Karamzin is tasked with capturing history Russian state. His genuine interest in history, the priority of this topic over all others was evidenced by the nature of the publications of Vestnik Evropy (this country's first socio-political, literary and artistic magazine Karamzin published in 1802-1803).
In 1804, literary and artistic work was completely curtailed, and the writer began to work on The History of the Russian State (1816-1824), which became the main work in his life and a whole phenomenon in Russian history and literature. The first eight volumes were published in February 1818. Three thousand copies were sold within a month - such active sales had no precedent. The next three volumes, published in the following years, were quickly translated into several European languages, and the 12th, final, volume saw the light after the death of the author.
Nikolai Mikhailovich was an adherent of conservative views, an absolute monarchy. The death of Alexander I and the uprising of the Decembrists, which he witnessed, became a heavy blow for him, depriving the historian writer of his last vitality. On June 3 (May 22, O.S.), 1826, Karamzin died while in St. Petersburg; they buried him in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, at the Tikhvin cemetery.
