"History of Russian Goverment"
is not only the creation of a great writer,
but also a feat of an honest man.
A. S. Pushkin
Karamzin Nikolai Mikhailovich (1766 1826), writer, historian.
Born on December 1 (12 NS) in the village of Mikhailovka, Simbirsk province, in the family of a landowner. Received a good home education.
At the age of 14 he began studying at the Moscow private boarding school of Professor Schaden. Having graduated from it in 1783, he came to the Preobrazhensky Regiment in St. Petersburg, where he met the young poet and future employee of his “Moscow Journal” Dmitriev. At the same time he published his first translation of S. Gesner’s idyll “The Wooden Leg”. Having retired with the rank of second lieutenant in 1784, he moved to Moscow and became one of the active participants in the magazine " Children's reading for the heart and mind,” published by N. Novikov, and became close to the Freemasons. He began translating religious and moral works. Since 1787, he regularly published his translations of Thomson’s “The Seasons,” “Village Evenings” by Janlis, and W. Shakespeare’s tragedy “Julius Caesar,” Lessing's tragedy "Emilia Galotti".
In 1789, Karamzin’s first original story, “Eugene and Yulia,” appeared in the magazine “Children’s Reading...”. In the spring, he went on a trip to Europe: he visited Germany, Switzerland, France, where he observed the activities of the revolutionary government. In June 1790 he moved from France to England.
In the fall he returned to Moscow and soon undertook the publication of the monthly "Moscow Journal", in which most of the "Letters of a Russian Traveler", the story "Liodor", " Poor Lisa", "Natalia, the boyar's daughter", "Flor Silin", essays, stories, critical articles and poems. Karamzin attracted Dmitriev and Petrov, Kheraskov and Derzhavin, Lvov Neledinsky-Meletsky and others to collaborate in the magazine. Karamzin’s articles asserted new literary direction sentimentalism. In the 1790s, Karamzin published the first Russian almanacs “Aglaya” (part 1 2, 1794 95) and “Aonids” (part 1 3, 1796 99). The year 1793 came, when at the third stage of the French Revolution the Jacobin dictatorship was established, which shocked Karamzin with its cruelty. The dictatorship aroused in him doubts about the possibility for humanity to achieve prosperity. He condemned the revolution. The philosophy of despair and fatalism permeates his new works: the story “The Island of Bornholm” (1793); "Sierra Morena" (1795); poems “Melancholy”, “Message to A. A. Pleshcheev”, etc.
By the mid-1790s, Karamzin became the recognized head of Russian sentimentalism, which opened new page in Russian literature. He was an indisputable authority for Zhukovsky, Batyushkov, and young Pushkin.
In 1802 1803 Karamzin published the journal "Bulletin of Europe", in which literature and politics predominated. In Karamzin’s critical articles, a new aesthetic program, which contributed to the formation of Russian literature as nationally distinctive. Karamzin saw the key to the uniqueness of Russian culture in history. The most striking illustration of his views was the story “Marfa Posadnitsa”. In his political articles, Karamzin made recommendations to the government, pointing out the role of education.
Trying to influence Tsar Alexander I, Karamzin gave him his “Note on Ancient and new Russia" (1811), causing his irritation. In 1819 he submitted a new note "Opinion of a Russian citizen", which caused even greater displeasure of the tsar. However, Karamzin did not abandon his belief in the salvation of the enlightened autocracy and later condemned the Decembrist uprising. However, Karamzin the artist is still was highly valued by young writers who did not even share his political beliefs.
In 1803, through M. Muravyov, Karamzin received the official title of court historiographer.
In 1804, he began creating the “History of the Russian State,” which he worked on until the end of his days, but did not complete. In 1818, the first eight volumes of "History" - Karamzin's greatest scientific and cultural feat - were published. In 1821 the 9th volume was published, dedicated to the reign of Ivan the Terrible, in 1824 the 10th and 11th, about Fyodor Ioannovich and Boris Godunov. Death interrupted work on the 12th volume. This happened on May 22 (June 3, n.s.) 1826 in St. Petersburg.
It turns out that I have a Fatherland!
The first eight volumes of the History of the Russian State were published all at once in 1818. They say that, having slammed the eighth and final volume, Fyodor Tolstoy, nicknamed the American, exclaimed: “It turns out that I have a Fatherland!” And he wasn't alone. Thousands of people thought, and most importantly, felt this very thing. Everyone was engrossed in History: students, officials, nobles, even society ladies. They read it in Moscow and St. Petersburg, they read it in the provinces: distant Irkutsk alone bought 400 copies. After all, it is so important for everyone to know that he has it, the Fatherland. Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin gave this confidence to the people of Russia.
Need a story
In those days, in early XIX centuries, ancient, eternal Russia suddenly turned out to be young, just starting out. She was about to enter Big world. Everything was born anew: the army and navy, factories and manufactories, science and literature. And it might seem that the country has no history - was there anything before Peter except the dark ages of backwardness and barbarism? Do we have a story? “Yes,” answered Karamzin.
Who is he?
We know very little about Karamzin’s childhood and youth; no diaries, letters from relatives, or youthful writings have survived. We know that Nikolai Mikhailovich was born on December 1, 1766, not far from Simbirsk. At that time it was an incredible wilderness, a real bear corner. When the boy was 11 or 12 years old, his father, a retired captain, took his son to Moscow, to a boarding school at the university gymnasium. Karamzin stayed here for some time, and then entered active duty. military service this is at 15 years old! The teachers prophesied for him not only Moscow Leipzig University, but somehow it didn’t work out.
Karamzin's exceptional education is his personal merit.
Writer
I didn’t go to military service; I wanted to write: compose, translate. And at the age of 17, Nikolai Mikhailovich was already a retired lieutenant. You have your whole life ahead of you. What should I dedicate it to? Literature, exclusively literature decides Karamzin.
And what was she like, Russian? literature XVIII century? Also young, a beginner. Karamzin writes to a friend: “I am deprived of the pleasure of reading much in my native language. We are still poor in writers. We have several poets who deserve to be read.” Of course, there are already writers, and not just a few, but Lomonosov, Fonvizin, Derzhavin, but there are no more than a dozen significant names. Are there really not enough talents? No, they exist, but it became a matter of language: the Russian language has not yet adapted to convey new thoughts, new feelings, or describe new objects.
Karamzin makes a live installation colloquial speech educated people. He writes not scholarly treatises, but travel notes ("Notes of a Russian Traveler"), stories ("Bornholm Island", "Poor Lisa"), poems, articles, and translates from French and German.
Journalist
Finally, they decide to publish a magazine. It was called simply: "Moscow Journal". The famous playwright and writer Ya. B. Knyazhnin picked up the first issue and exclaimed: “We didn’t have such prose!”
The success of "Moscow Magazine" was enormous - as many as 300 subscribers. A very large figure for those times. This is how small not only writing and reading Russia is!
Karamzin works incredibly hard. He also collaborates in the first Russian children's magazine. It was called "Children's Reading for the Heart and Mind." Only FOR this magazine Karamzin wrote two dozen pages every week.
Karamzin was the number one writer for his time.
Historian
And suddenly Karamzin takes on the gigantic task of compiling his native Russian history. On October 31, 1803, Tsar Alexander I issued a decree appointing N.M. Karamzin as a historiographer with a salary of 2 thousand rubles a year. Now for the rest of my life I am a historian. But apparently it was necessary.
Chronicles, decrees, codes of law
Now write. But for this you need to collect material. The search began. Karamzin literally combs through all the archives and book collections of the Synod, the Hermitage, the Academy of Sciences, the Public Library, Moscow University, the Alexander Nevsky and Trinity Sergius Lavra. At his request, they are looking for it in monasteries, in the archives of Oxford, Paris, Venice, Prague and Copenhagen. And how many things were found!
Ostromir Gospel of 1056 1057 (this is still the oldest dated Russian book), Ipatiev and Trinity Chronicles. Code of Law of Ivan the Terrible, work ancient Russian literature"The Prayer of Daniel the Imprisoner" and much more.
They say that having discovered the new chronicle of Volynskaya, Karamzin did not sleep for several nights with joy. Friends laughed that he had become simply unbearable because he only talked about history.
What will it be like?
The materials are being collected, but how to take on the text, how to write a book that even the simplest person can read, but from which even an academician will not wince? How to make it interesting, artistic, and at the same time scientific? And here are these volumes. Each is divided into two parts: in the first detailed, written great master, story this is for the common reader; in the second detailed notes, links to sources this is for historians.
This is true patriotism
Karamzin writes to his brother: “History is not a novel: a lie can always be beautiful, but only some minds like the truth in its garb.” So what should I write about? Set forth in detail the glorious pages of the past, and only turn over the dark ones? Maybe this is exactly what a patriotic historian should do? No, Karamzin decides, patriotism does not come at the expense of distorting history. He doesn’t add anything, doesn’t invent anything, doesn’t glorify victories or downplay defeats.
By chance, drafts of the VIIth volume were preserved: we see how Karamzin worked on every phrase of his “History”. Here he writes about Vasily III: “in relations with Lithuania, Vasily... always ready for peace...” It’s not the same, it’s not true. The historian crosses out what was written and concludes: “In relations with Lithuania, Vasily expressed peace in words, trying to harm her secretly or openly.” Such is the impartiality of the historian, such is true patriotism. Love for one's own, but not hatred for someone else's.
Ancient Russia seemed to be found by Karamzin, like America by Columbus
It is written ancient history Russia, and modern things are being done around: Napoleonic wars, Battle of Austerlitz, Peace of Tilsit, Patriotic War 12th year, Moscow fire. In 1815, Russian troops enter Paris. In 1818, the first 8 volumes of the History of the Russian State were published. Circulation is a terrible thing! 3 thousand copies. And everything sold out in 25 days. Unheard of! But the price is considerable: 50 rubles.
The last volume stopped at the middle of the reign of Ivan IV, the Terrible.
Some said: Jacobin!
Even earlier, the trustee of Moscow University, Golenishchev-Kutuzov, submitted to the Minister of Public Education a document, to put it mildly, in which he thoroughly proved that “Karamzin’s works are filled with freethinking and Jacobin poison.” “If only he should have been given an order, it would have been time to lock him up long ago.”
Why is this so? First of all, for independence of judgment. Not everyone likes this.
There is an opinion that Nikolai Mikhailovich has never betrayed his soul even once in his life.
Monarchist! - exclaimed others, young people, future Decembrists.
Yes, main character"Stories" of Karamzin Russian autocracy. The author condemns bad sovereigns and sets good ones as examples. And he sees prosperity for Russia in an enlightened, wise monarch. That is, a “good king” is needed. Karamzin does not believe in revolution, especially in a quick one. So, before us is truly a monarchist.
And at the same time, the Decembrist Nikolai Turgenev would later remember how Karamzin “shed tears” when he learned about the death of Robespierre, the hero of the French Revolution. And here is what Nikolai Mikhailovich himself writes to a friend: “I do not demand either a constitution or representatives, but in my feelings I will remain a republican, and, moreover, a loyal subject of the Russian Tsar: this is a contradiction, but only an imaginary one.”
Why then is he not with the Decembrists? Karamzin believed that Russia’s time had not yet come, the people were not ripe for a republic.
Good king
The ninth volume has not yet been published, and rumors have already spread that it is banned. It began like this: “We begin to describe the terrible change in the soul of the king and in the fate of the kingdom.” So, the story about Ivan the Terrible continues.
Previous historians did not dare to openly describe this reign. Not surprising. For example, Moscow’s conquest of free Novgorod. Karamzin the historian, however, reminds us that the unification of the Russian lands was necessary, but Karamzin the artist gives a vivid picture of exactly how the conquest of the free northern city was carried out:
“John and his son were tried in this way: every day they presented to them from five hundred to a thousand Novgorodians; they beat them, tortured them, burned them with some kind of fiery mixture, tied them with their heads or feet to a sleigh, dragged them to the bank of the Volkhov, where this river does not freeze in winter, and They threw whole families into the water, wives with husbands, mothers with infants. Moscow warriors rode on boats along the Volkhov with stakes, hooks and axes: whoever was thrown into the water was stabbed and cut into pieces. These killings continued for five weeks. and concluded by common robbery."
And so on almost every page - executions, murders, burning of prisoners upon the news of the death of the tsar's favorite villain Malyuta Skuratov, the order to destroy an elephant who refused to kneel before the tsar... and so on.
Remember, this is written by a man who is convinced that autocracy is necessary in Russia.
Yes, Karamzin was a monarchist, but during the trial the Decembrists referred to the “History of the Russian State” as one of the sources of “harmful” thoughts.
December 14
He didn't want his book to become a source of harmful thoughts. He wanted to tell the truth. It just so happened that the truth he wrote turned out to be “harmful” for the autocracy.
And then December 14, 1825. Having received news of the uprising (for Karamzin this is, of course, a rebellion), the historian goes out into the street. He was in Paris in 1790, was in Moscow in 1812, in 1825 he goes towards Senate Square. “I saw terrible faces, heard terrible words, five or six stones fell at my feet.”
Karamzin, of course, is against the uprising. But how many of the rebels are the Muravyov brothers, Nikolai Turgenev Bestuzhev, Kuchelbecker (he translated “History” into German).
A few days later Karamzin would say this about the Decembrists: “The delusions and crimes of these young people are the delusions and crimes of our century.”
After the uprising, Karamzin fell fatally ill; he caught a cold on December 14. In the eyes of his contemporaries, he was another victim of that day. But he dies not only from a cold; the idea of the world has collapsed, faith in the future has been lost, and a new king has ascended to the throne, very far from ideal image enlightened monarch.
Karamzin could no longer write. The last thing he managed to do was, together with Zhukovsky, he persuaded the tsar to return Pushkin from exile.
And volume XII froze at the interregnum of 1611 1612. And so last words last volume about a small Russian fortress: “Nut did not give up.”
Now
More than a century and a half has passed since then. Today's historians know much more about ancient Russia than Karamzin, how much has been found: documents, archaeological finds, birch bark letters, finally. But Karamzin’s book history-chronicle is one of a kind and there will never be another like it.
Why do we need it now? Bestuzhev-Ryumin said this well in his time: “A high moral feeling still makes this book the most convenient for cultivating love for Russia and goodness.”
We often use familiar words like charity, attraction, and even love. But few people know that if it were not for Nikolai Karamzin, then perhaps they would never have appeared in the Russian dictionary. Karamzin's work was compared with the works of the outstanding sentimentalist Stern, and even put the writers on the same level. Possessing deep analytical thinking, he managed to write the first book, “History of the Russian State.” Karamzin did this without describing a separate historical stage, of which he was a contemporary, but by presenting a panoramic image historical painting states.
Childhood and youth of N. Karamzin
The future genius was born on December 12, 1766. He grew up and was brought up in the house of his father, Mikhail Yegorovich, who was a retired captain. Nikolai lost his mother early, so his father was completely involved in his upbringing.
As soon as he learned to read, the boy took books from his mother's library, among which were French novels, works by Emin, Rollin. Elementary education Nikolai received houses, then studied at the Simbirsk noble boarding house, and then, in 1778, he was sent to the boarding school of Professor Moskovsky.
Even as a child, he began to be interested in history. This was facilitated by a book on the history of Emin.
Nikolai's inquisitive mind did not allow him to sit still for long; he began studying languages and went to listen to lectures at Moscow University.
Carier start
Karamzin's creativity dates back to the time when he served in the Preobrazhensky Guards Regiment in St. Petersburg. It was during this period that Nikolai Mikhailovich began to try himself as a writer.
Words and the acquaintances he made in Moscow contributed to Karamzin’s formation as an artist. Among his friends were N. Novikov, A. Petrov, A. Kutuzov. During the same period he joined social activities- helped in the preparation and publication of the magazine for children “Children’s Reading for the Heart and Mind.”
The period of service was not only the beginning of Nikolai Karamzin, but also shaped him as a person and gave him the opportunity to make many acquaintances that were useful. After the death of his father, Nikolai decides to quit his service, never to return to it. In the world at that time, this was regarded as insolence and a challenge to society. But who knows, if he had not quit his service, he would have been able to publish his first translations, as well as original works that show a keen interest in historical topics?
Trip to Europe
Karamzin’s life and work radically changed their usual structure when, from 1789 to 1790. he travels around Europe. During the trip, the writer visits Immanuel Kant, which made a remarkable impression on him. Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin, chronological table which is replenished by its presence in France during the Great french revolution, subsequently writes his “Letters of a Russian Traveler.” It is this work that makes him famous.
There is an opinion that it is this book that opens the countdown new era Russian literature. This is not unreasonable, since such travel notes were not only popular in Europe, but also found their followers in Russia. Among them are A. Griboyedov, F. Glinka, V. Izmailov and many others.
This is where the comparison between Karamzin and Stern “grows.” The latter’s “Sentimental Journey” is reminiscent of Karamzin’s works in theme.
Arrival in Russia
Returning to his homeland, Karamzin decides to settle in Moscow, where he continues his literary activity. Moreover, he becomes professional writer and a journalist. But the apogee of this period is, of course, the publication of the “Moscow Journal” - the first Russian literary magazine, which published Karamzin’s works.
At the same time, he published collections and almanacs that strengthened him as the father of sentimentalism in Russian literature. Among them are “Aglaya”, “Pantheon of Foreign Literature”, “My Trinkets” and others.
Moreover, Emperor Alexander I established the title of court historiographer for Karamzin. It is noteworthy that after that no one was awarded a similar title. This not only strengthened Nikolai Mikhailovich, but also strengthened his status in society.
Karamzin as a writer
Karamzin joined the writing class while already in the service, since attempts to try himself in this field at the university were not crowned with great success.
Karamzin’s creativity can be divided into three main lines:
- literary prose, which forms a significant part of the heritage (listed: stories, novellas);
- poetry - there is much less of it;
- fiction, historical works.
In general, the influence of his works on Russian literature can be compared with the influence of Catherine on society - changes occurred that made the industry humane.
Karamzin is a writer who became the starting point of new Russian literature, the era of which continues to this day.
Sentimentalism in the works of Karamzin
Karamzin Nikolai Mikhailovich turned the attention of writers, and, as a result, their readers, to feelings as the dominant feature of human essence. It is this feature that is fundamental to sentimentalism and separates it from classicism.
The basis of a normal, natural and correct existence of a person should not be a rational principle, but the release of feelings and impulses, the improvement of the sensual side of a person as such, which is given by nature and is natural.
The hero is no longer typical. It was individualized and given uniqueness. His experiences do not deprive him of strength, but enrich him, teach him to feel the world subtly and respond to changes.
“Poor Liza” is considered to be the programmatic work of sentimentalism in Russian literature. This statement is not entirely true. Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin, whose work exploded literally after the publication of “Letters of a Russian Traveler,” introduced sentimentalism precisely with travel notes.
Karamzin's poetry
Karamzin's poems occupy much less space in his work. But their importance should not be underestimated. As in prose, Karamzin the poet becomes a neophyte of sentimentalism.
The poetry of that time was guided by Lomonosov and Derzhavin, while Nikolai Mikhailovich changed course to European sentimentalism. There is a reorientation of values in literature. Instead of the external, rational world, the author delves into the inner world of man and is interested in his spiritual powers.
Unlike classicism, characters of simple life, everyday life become heroes, and accordingly, the object of Karamzin’s poem is simple life as he himself stated. Of course, when describing everyday life, the poet refrains from pompous metaphors and comparisons, using standard and simple rhymes.
But this does not mean at all that poetry becomes poor and mediocre. On the contrary, to be able to select those that are available so that they produce the desired effect and at the same time convey the hero’s experiences - this is the main goal pursued by Karamzin’s poetic work.
The poems are not monumental. They often show ambivalence human nature, two views on things, unity and the struggle of opposites.
Karamzin's prose
Displayed in prose aesthetic principles Karamzin are also found in his theoretical works. He insists on moving away from the classicist fixation on rationalism to the sensitive side of man, his spiritual world.
The main task is to incline the reader to maximum empathy, to make him worry not only about the hero, but also with him. Thus, empathy should lead to internal transformation a person, force him to develop his spiritual resources.
The artistic side of the work is structured in the same way as that of the poems: a minimum of complex speech patterns, pomp and pretentiousness. But so that the same traveler’s notes are not dry reports, in them the focus on displaying mentality and characters comes to the fore.
Karamzin's stories describe what is happening in detail, focusing on the sensual nature of things. But since there were many impressions from the trip abroad, they were transferred to paper through the sieve of the author’s “I”. He does not become attached to associations that are firmly established in his mind. For example, he remembered London not for the Thames, bridges and fog, but in the evenings, when the lanterns are lit and the city shines.
The characters find the writer themselves - these are his fellow travelers or interlocutors whom Karamzin meets during the journey. It is worth noting that these are not only noble people. He communicates without hesitation with socialites, and with poor students.
Karamzin - historian
The 19th century brings Karamzin to history. When Alexander I appoints him court historiographer, Karamzin’s life and work again undergo dramatic changes: he refuses literary activity completely and immerses himself in writing historical works.
Oddly enough, but the first one historical work, “Note on ancient and new Russia in its political and civil relations“, Karamzin devoted criticism to the emperor’s reforms. The purpose of the "Note" was to show conservative-minded sections of society, as well as their discontent liberal reforms. He also tried to find evidence of the futility of such reforms.
Karamzin - translator
Structure of the “History”:
- introduction - describes the role of history as a science;
- history up to 1612 from the time of nomadic tribes.
Each story or narrative ends with conclusions of a moral and ethical nature.
The Meaning of "Stories"
As soon as Karamzin completed his work, “The History of the Russian State” literally sold out like hot cakes. Within a month, 3,000 copies were sold. Everyone was engrossed in “history”: the reason for this was not only the filled-in blank spots in the history of the state, but also the simplicity and ease of presentation. Based on this book, more than one was later created, since “History” also became a source of plots.
“History of the Russian State” became the first analytical work on the subject. It also became a template and example for further development interest in history in the country.
Russian writer, founder of Russian sentimentalism. 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, dedicated to the reign of Ivan IV the Terrible, was published, in 1824 - the 10th and 11th, about Fyodor 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 a big role in the development of the problem of personality in Russian literature, in improving artistic means Images inner world person, in the development of the Russian literary language. His early prose had significant influence for creativity, K. N. Batyushkov, young. “The History of the Russian State” has become not only significant historical work, but also a major phenomenon of Russian literary prose, served as the main source for Pushkin's Boris Godunov and Russian historical drama of the 1830s.
Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin was born in 1766 in the Simbirsk region. He was from a family of provincial nobles. Nikolai received his education at a private school. He served in the Preobrazhensky Regiment from 1781 to 1784, retiring with the rank of lieutenant.
Literary activity and innovation of Karamzin
Nikolai Mikhailovich was engaged in translations, wrote critical articles, published magazines and almanacs. Several stories belong to his pen, including historical and lyrical works. The direction of his work is permeated with sentimentalism, and his style was elegant. He brought a lot of new things to literary language, moving away from church usage.
Karamzin moved from Simbirsk to Moscow in 1785. There he met I.P. Turgenev, who influenced his activities. Through him Nikolai also met the freemason Novikov.
Karamzin’s story “Poor Liza” gained wide popularity. It was also his first work of this genre. Later, he will write several more stories. The first translation that marked the beginning of his work was Shakespeare's Julius Caesar.
While studying poetry, he was the first in Russia to resort to it as a way of self-expression. This is how its development began with Karamzin.
Karamzin's travels and magazine publishing
In 1789 Nikolai Mikhailovich went on a trip abroad. He visited England and France. I also visited Germany. His travels around Europe lasted about a year and a half.
Returning to Moscow, he began publishing magazines. Most of the materials published in them were written by him. “Letters of a Russian Traveler” was published. Karamzin earned himself the reputation of an outstanding writer of his time.
But the short reign of Paul, from 1796 to 1801, forced Karamzin to stop his activities for a while. Later, under Emperor Alexander, he returned to writing again. Now he published the "Bulletin of Europe". This magazine devoted more space to politics.
Since 1804, Nikolai stopped this type of activity and completely went into historical research. He writes "History of the Russian State." This work of his consists of large quantity volumes, the last of which was published after the death of its creator. Karamzin wrote a history from antiquity to the events of the Time of Troubles.
He was recognized not only as an outstanding writer, but also as a historian and politician. This gave him the opportunity to move to St. Petersburg and get closer to the emperor and his court.
In 1826, the life of Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin ended. Shortly before his departure, the emperor also died, which was hard for Karamzin, since they were on fairly friendly terms. It is believed that the cause of death famous prose writer and the historian suffered from a terrible cold.
8th, 9th grade for children
Biography of Nikolai Karamzin about the main thing
Nikolai Karamzin was born in 1766 in the Simbirsk province.
At the age of 5 Nikolai studied German language from a 50-year-old doctor. He acquired his initial knowledge in a separate boarding house. Later the boy was sent to Moscow, where he continued his studies at educational institution Mr. Schaden, whom everyone considered one of the most educated professors at Moscow University. The young man studied historical sciences, literature and various languages. Then he enlists in the Preobrazhensky Regiment.
After the death of his father, Karamzin left the service and returned to his homeland with the rank of lieutenant. He no longer intended to serve, which was considered a challenge to society in those days. The cheerful and carefree life with his friends did not last long. Soon Ivan Petrovich Turgenev persuaded Karamzin to go with him to Moscow. Turgenev introduces young Nikolai there to Nikolai Ivanovich Novikov. The young man is one of the authors of the first magazine for children called “Children's Reading”.
Nikolai Ivanovich Karamzin becomes close to brilliant writers, loves to listen to lectures by Professor Schwartz, in whose classes he spoke a lot about the knowledge of God and the high destiny of man.
In 1789, the restless Karamzin went abroad, where he had the honor of communicating with the famous philosophers I. Kant and I. Goethe. I often attended the National Assembly of Mirabeau and M. Robespierre, and had the pleasure of meeting many political activists. Bourgeois revolution in Paris, she conveyed to the writer such points as how much influence the publishing industry can have on the beliefs of ordinary people.
Returning to Moscow, Karamzin published the story “Poor Liza,” which everyone really liked. In “Letters of a Russian Traveler” the writer reflected all his impressions from his trip abroad.
The way of life in Moscow was correct. Every morning was devoted to the writing of a great manuscript. Every day I went horseback riding or walked. And in the evening he received guests.
During the publication of the magazine “Bulletin of Europe” in 1802, Karamzin increasingly wrote works on historical topics.
Thanks to his friend M.N. Muravyov, in 1803 Karamzin was given the title of historiographer with a special salary for the specific purpose of creating full story Russia, although he has almost already started studying.
Since 1804, Nikolai Ivanovich plunged into the creation of a colossal work, managing to create only 11 volumes. The Emperor often took Karamzin’s manuscript with him on his travels, where free time, he read it, making notes in the margins, especially in volume 9. When the writer asked whether these passages needed to be edited, Alexander I replied that he did this for himself.
In the summer, Karamzin visited his father-in-law Vyazemsky in Ostafyevo. Their last years During his life, Karamzin became friends with the sovereign's family and lived in St. Petersburg.
At the invitation of the empresses, Nikolai Ivanovich often came to Tsarskoye Selo, where he had long conversations with the sovereign different topics. He recommended that the ruler reduce taxes, revise the Ministry of Education, reduce the army, and create correct civil and state laws.
The death of the sovereign affected Karamzin’s health. In poor condition, he visited Empress Maria Feodorovna every day, in conversations with whom he not only remembered the late Alexander I, but discussed with her mistress the plans for the future state.
In 1826, Karamzin became seriously ill and, on the advice of doctors, planned to go for treatment in the spring to Southern France and Italy. Since, we did not have sufficient Money, Emperor Karamzin allocates the necessary amount and a ship. But Karamzin understood that he did not have time to continue his life, he refused such an offer, and on May 22, 1826, he died.
The most important thing for 9th grade
Interesting Facts and dates from life
Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin, born in the Simbirsk province on December 1, 1766 and died in 1826, entered Russian literature as a deeply feeling sentimentalist artist, a master of journalistic words and the first Russian historiographer.
His father was an average nobleman, a descendant of the Tatar Murza Kara-Murza. The family of the Simbirsk landowner, living in the village of Mikhailovka, had a family estate Znamenskoye, where they spent their childhood and early years boy.
Having received an initial education at home and devouring fiction and history, young Karamzin was sent to a private Moscow boarding school named after. Shadena. In addition to his studies in his youth, he actively studied foreign languages and attended university lectures.
In 1781, Karamzin was enlisted for three years of service in the St. Petersburg Preobrazhensky Regiment, considered one of the best at that time, and left it as a lieutenant. During his service, the writer's first work was published - the translated story "The Wooden Leg". Here he met the young poet Dmitriev, a sincere correspondence and great friendship with whom continued during collaboration in the Moscow Journal.
Continuing to actively seek his place in life, acquiring new knowledge and acquaintances, Karamzin soon leaves for Moscow, where he makes acquaintance with N. Novikov, publisher of the magazine “Children's Reading for the Heart and Mind” and a member of the Masonic circle Golden Crown." Communication with Novikov, as well as I. P. Turgenev had a significant influence on the views and direction of the further development of Karamzin’s individuality and creativity. Communication with Pleshcheev, A. M. Kutuzov and I. S. Gamaleya also began in the Masonic circle.
In 1787, a translation of Shakespeare’s work “Julius Caesar” was published, and in 1788 a translation of Lessing’s work “Emilia Galotti” was published. A year later, Karamzin’s first own publication, the story “Eugene and Yulia,” was published.
At the same time, the writer has the opportunity to visit Europe thanks to the inherited estate he received. Having pawned it, Karamzin decides to use this money to go on a journey for a year and a half, which will subsequently allow him to receive a powerful impetus to his fullest self-determination.
During his trip, Karamzin visited Switzerland, England, France and Germany. During his travels, he was a patient listener, a vigilant observer and a sensitive person. He collected great amount notes and essays about the morals and characters of people, noticed many characteristic scenes from street life and the life of people of different classes. All this became rich material for his future work, including for “Letters of a Russian Traveler”, mostly published in the “Moscow Journal”.
At this time, the poet is already making a living for himself through the work of a writer. Over the following years, the almanacs “Aonids”, “Aglaya” and the collection “My Trinkets” were published. The famous historically true story "Marfa the Posadnitsa" was published in 1802. Karamzin gained fame and respect as a writer and historiographer not only in Moscow and St. Petersburg, but throughout the country.
Soon Karamzin began publishing a unique socio-political magazine at that time, “Bulletin of Europe,” in which he published his historical stories and works, which were preparation for larger-scale work.
"History of the Russian State" - an artistically designed, titanic work by Karamzin the historian, was published in 1817. Twenty-three years of painstaking work made it possible to create a huge, impartial and deep in its truthfulness work, which revealed to people their true past.
Death found the writer while working on one of the volumes of “History of the Russian State,” which tells about the “time of troubles.”
It is interesting that in Simbirsk, in 1848, the first scientific library was opened, later called “Karamzin”.
Having initiated the movement of sentimentalism in Russian literature, he revived and deepened the traditional literature of classicism. Thanks to his innovative views, deep thoughts and subtle feelings, Karamzin managed to create the image of a real living and deeply feeling character. Most striking examples in this regard are his story "Poor Liza", which first found its readers in the "Moscow Journal".