Aleksei Nikolaevich Apukhtin
Aleksei Nikolaevich Apukhtin was a Russian poet born in 1840 to a noble family of French descent. His early life was marked by health complications, which led his parents to provide him with a privileged upbringing. He began writing poetry at a young age, while studying at the Petersburg Institute of Jurisprudence, where he formed a notable friendship with composer Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky. After working in the Ministry of Justice until 1862, Apukhtin retreated to his estate in Oryol Province, later returning to St. Petersburg. Despite his prolific writing, he was hesitant to publish his work, fearing that commercial interests might tarnish his artistic integrity. In 1886, he published his first collection of poetry, which was well-received and solidified his reputation. Apukhtin’s poetry often explored themes of abstract beauty and love, juxtaposed against the challenges of everyday life, and his works were later set to music by Tchaikovsky among others. While he wrote extensively in prose, he chose not to publish these works during his lifetime, with their posthumous release occurring only after his death in 1893.
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Aleksei Nikolaevich Apukhtin
Writer
- Born: November 15, 1840
- Birthplace: Bolkhovo, Orel province, Russia
- Died: August 17, 1893
- Place of death: Russia
Biography
Aleksei Nikolaevich Apukhtin was born in 1840 to an old noble family of French origin, and was a sickly child. Because of concerns about his health, his parents spared no expense in his upbringing and spoiled him very badly. While still young he began writing poetry, and continued even while he attended the Petersburg Institute of Jurisprudence. While there he became acquainted with fellow Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky, and their surviving correspondence reveals a great deal about his character.He worked in the Ministry of Justice from his graduation until 1862, at which time he retired to his his estate in Oryol Province. A dedicated sensualist, he soon became morbidly obese, and returned to St. Petersburg in 1863, where he remained until his death.
Apukhtin continued to write poetry throughout his life, but concerns about prostituting his talents led him to resist publishing his works, lest he write for publication rather than for excellence. In 1886, Apukhtin relented to pressure to publish a collection of his poetry, which was issued in a print run of three thousand copies. These quickly sold and established his reputation as a poet. His favorite themes were abstract beauty and love, and contrasted them with the imperfections and unhappinesses of daily life. The success of his initial book led to his publishing other verses in the various literary journals of the time, and many of these poems were set to music by such composers as Tchaikovsky. He also wrote numerous prose works, but refused to allow them to be published within his lifetime. Only after his death in 1893 did they finally appear before the public.