Nikolai Semenovich Leskov

Faith Wigzell (University College London)

Ed. by Neil Cornwell, University of Bristol
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 2.2.1.00: Slavic and Russian Writing and Culture: Old, Medieval and Tsarist, 700-1917.
Vol. editors: Neil Cornwell (University of Bristol), Roman Koropeckyj (University of California, Los Angeles), Andrei Rogatchevski (UiT - The Arctic University of Norway)

Dates

Born 16 Feb 1831
Died 5 Mar 1895
Activity 1851-1895

Places

Born in Russia
Active in Russia

Activities

Primary

Story-writer

Resources

Leskov's Works

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A prolific writer of short stories (both the shorter “

rasskaz

” and the longer “

povest’

” or

Novelle

), as well as of sketches, novels, a play, memoirs, and criticism, Nikolai Leskov’s distinction is to be regarded as the most Russian of nineteenth-century writers. The reputation is based on his linguistic virtuosity, colourful narrative, creative use of Russian folklore and breadth of subject matter.

Leskov’s childhood in Orel Province in southern central Russia familiarised him with a broad spectrum of Russian society. Both grandmothers came from the merchant class, while his father, with his clerical background and seminary education, gave young Nikolai some familiarity with Orthodoxy. In rejecting the priesthood for the civil service, his father eventually acquired the

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2161 words

Citation: Wigzell, Faith. "Nikolai Semenovich Leskov". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 04 February 2007 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=2700, accessed 21 November 2024.]