Alexei Tolstoi
Aleksei Nikolaevich Tolstoy (1883-1945) was a prominent Russian novelist, playwright, and historian, known for his diverse literary contributions during the early to mid-20th century. Born in Samara, Russia, he was the son of Count Nikolai Tolstoy and writer Aleksandra Leontevna. Tolstoy's early education took place at home before he attended a public secondary school and later the St. Petersburg Technical Institute, where he became politically active, writing revolutionary essays. His literary career began with poetry and prose, including his first collection of poems, *Lirika*, in 1907.
With the onset of World War I, Tolstoy served as a correspondent, documenting experiences from the front lines. Following the Russian Revolution, he left for Paris, where he began his notable trilogy, *Khozhdenie po mykam* (The Road to Calvary), and published the science-fiction novel *Aelita* in 1922. After returning to the Soviet Union in 1923, he became a supporter of the Communist regime and continued to produce acclaimed works, earning multiple Stalin Prizes. In addition to his literary achievements, he held significant positions, such as Chairman of the Writers' Union and member of the Academy of Sciences, until his death in 1945.
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Subject Terms
Alexei Tolstoi
Author
- Born: January 10, 1883
- Birthplace: Nikolaevsk, Russia (now Pugachyov, Russia)
- Died: February 23, 1945
- Place of death: Barvikhinskii Sanatorium, Moscow, Soviet Union (now in Russia)
Biography
Aleksei Nikolaevich Tolstoy, a twentieth century novelist, playwright, and historian, was born in Samara, Russia. His father, Count Nikolai, was distantly related to the Russian monarchist Leo Tolstoy. Aleksei Tolstoy’s mother, Aleksandra Leontevna, née Turgenev, was a writer of children’s books.
In his early years, Aleksei Tolstoy was educated at home. At the age of ten, Tolstoy entered a public secondary school in Samara, where he remained until 1901. He then moved to St. Petersburg and entered the St. Petersburg Technical Institute. While at the Technical Institute, Tolstoy became involved in Russian politics and participated in numerous demonstrations and strikes. At this time, he published his first works, which were political essays centered on revolutionary themes.
In 1905, the St. Petersburg Technological Institute closed and Tolstoy transferred to Dresden, Germany, where he studied briefly at the Poly Technique University. One year later, he returned home to Samara, Russia in order to care for his ill mother. After her death, he moved to St. Petersburg, Russia and continued his studies.
In 1907, Tolstoy published his first collection of poems titled Lirika. One year later, he published his first prose work, titled Starya Bashnya (the old tower). In 1913, Tolstoy proved his diversity as a writer by producing numerous well-received dramatic works in addition to his poetry and fiction. However, his career as a playwright was put temporarily on hold with the onset of World War I.
During World War I, Tolstoy served as a correspondent for the newspaper Russkie Vedomosti. He wrote from the front lines of England and France. After the war, Tolstoy, unable to accept the terms of the Russian Revolution, left Russia during the 1917 Bolshevik October Revolution and settled in Paris. There he began his first story in his noted trilogy titled Khozhdenive po mykam (the road to Calvary). This work consisted of short stories depicting various consequences of the Russian Revolution.
After spending a year writing in Paris, Tolstoy moved to Berlin. There he demonstrated more of his diversity as a writer by producing his first science-fiction novel, Aelita. This work, published in 1922, told a fictional account of Russians landing on Mars. The success of this novel led to the establishment of the first Soviet science-fiction award, which was named the Aelita Award.
In 1923, Tolstoy accepted the Soviet Regime and returned to Russia. He remained in Russia for the remainder of his life as a staunch supporter of Communism. For the next two decades, Tolstoy produced several more dramatic works as well as his noted trilogy titled Petr Pervyi. His literary achievements were awarded with numerous honors, including three Stalin Prizes for Literature. In 1936, Tolstoy was elected as Chairman of the Writers’ Union. In 1939, he was appointed to the Academy of Sciences. Aleksei Nikolaevich Tolstoy continued to write until his death in 1945 at the age of sixty-two.