Apollon Nikolaevich Maikov
Apollon Nikolaevich Maikov, born on May 23, 1821, in Moscow, emerged from a cultured noble family with a rich literary heritage, including notable figures like the poet Vasilii Ivanovich Maikov. He received a comprehensive education, initially at a military academy and later at university, where he was encouraged to publish his poetry. Maikov's literary career began in the mid-nineteenth century, during which he published several collections and dramatic poems that explored themes of classical studies, social issues, and historical events. His first collection, "Stikhotvoreniia" (1842), drew praise for its exploration of the interplay between early Christianity and Roman paganism. Notable works include "Dve sud'by," which contrasts Russian and Western Christianity, and "Tri smerti," centered on philosophical themes related to Emperor Nero. Throughout his career, Maikov balanced his roles as a poet and a member of the government's censorship committee, navigating the complexities of conservative and liberal sentiments. He also made significant contributions to Slavic folklore and historical poetry. Revered by his contemporaries, Maikov passed away on March 8, 1897, leaving a lasting legacy as an influential figure in 19th-century Russian literature.
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Apollon Nikolaevich Maikov
Poet
- Born: May 23, 1821
- Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
- Died: March 8, 1897
- Place of death: Russia
Biography
Apollon Nikolaevich Maikov was born in Moscow on May 23, 1821, in a cultured and noble family. Among his ancestors were writers, scholars, and other educated noblemen, among them the eighteenth century poet Vasilii Ivanovich Maikov. Apollon Nikolaevich Maikov’s father, Nikolai Apollonovich Maikov, was a painter and academician, while his mother, Evgeniia Petrovna was also a highly educated noblewoman and poet. Thus, it was natural that Maikov became a poet at the time of realism in the middle of the nineteenth century.
Maikov was sent to a military academy in St. Petersburg. When his family also moved to the capital, the family quickly formed a literary and artistic salon, where many writers gathered and discussed literature and where Maikov was exposed to literature and inspired by well-known writers to write poetry himself. In gymnasium he studied Roman law, history, and classical literature. As a student at the university, he began to write poetry, which impressed his professors so much that they encouraged him to publish his work. Upon graduation he entered government service.
His first collection of poems, Stikhotvoreniia (1842), appeared in St. Petersburg, revealing the influence of classical studies upon his poetry, especially the clash between early Christianity and the pagan culture of Rome. The collection was praised by leading critics Vissarion Belinsky and others. During his first travel abroad, Maikov visited Italy and Paris, where he wrote the long dramatic poem “Dve sud’by” (two fates), juxtaposing Russian and Western Christianity. His second dramatic poem, “Mashen’ka,” represents Maikov’s foray into social poetry, revealing also the influence of Alexander Pushkin’s prose.
Maikov’s second collection of poetry, Ocherki Rima (1847; Roman sketches), expresses his life-long interest in Roman classicism, which he also often criticized. His third dramatic poem, deemed by many as his best, “Tri smerti” (1857; three deaths), deals with Emperor Nero’s order to three leading philosophers to commit suicide because of their criticism of his rule. In a similar vein, Maikov’s poem “Savonarola” (1857) criticizes the pope for stifling unorthodox thinking.
Maikov married in 1852 and spent the next forty-five years on the government’s censorship committee. He tried to satisfy both the conservatives and the liberals with his works. In the poems about the Crimean War he supported his country; yet, following his conscience, he disliked any fanaticism. In the 1860’s he began to study Slavic and Western European folklore. He translated the medieval Russian epic poem “Slovo o polku Igoreve” and Slavic folk songs and epics. He wrote poems on Russian historical themes, which were well received by both critics and readers. In the last years of his life, four editions of his collected works appeared. Revered and awarded, Maikov died on March 8, 1897, leaving behind a legacy of an important and influential writer in the nineteenth century.