Fedor Aleksandrovich Emin
Fedor Aleksandrovich Emin was a notable figure in 18th-century Russian literature, born in Constantinople in 1735 to a family with Turkish Muslim roots. Initially known by the name Mahomet-Ali Emin, he claimed to have served as a jannissary, although evidence for this is limited. After extensive travels throughout the Middle East and Europe, he sought Russian citizenship, which he obtained in 1758 on the condition of converting to Russian Orthodox Christianity. Emin settled in St. Petersburg, where he contributed significantly to Russian literature as one of the early practitioners of the novel form. Over a brief literary career of just nine years, he authored more than twenty-five works, primarily focused on action and adventure, while also aiming to inspire and educate his readers. His influence extended beyond writing; he eventually became a titular counselor and a member of the Imperial Cabinet. Fedor Aleksandrovich Emin passed away on April 29, 1770, in St. Petersburg, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering novelist in Russian literature.
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Subject Terms
Fedor Aleksandrovich Emin
Writer
- Born: c. 1735
- Birthplace: Constantinople, Ottoman Empire (now Istanbul, Turkey)
- Died: April 29, 1770
- Place of death: St. Petersburg, Russia
Biography
Beyond the books he left, almost nothing substantial is known about the life of Fedor Aleksandrovich Emin. He is said to have been born in Constantinople in 1735 to a family of Turkish Muslims who may have originally been Russian. His original name may have been Mahomet-Ali Emin. He later claimed to have served as a jannissary, one of the special caste of soldiers in the old Turkish Empire, but there is little evidence to support this claim. He traveled widely in both the Middle East and Europe before applying to the Russian Embassy in London for Russian citizenship. His request was granted in 1758 under the stipulation that he must convert to Russian Orthodox Christianity. He subsequently moved to St. Petersburg, where he became a Russian citizen in 1761. He first studied and later taught at the Cadet Corps, and he supported himself by taking on additional work as a translator. He became one of the earliest practitioners of the novel form in Russian literature, and during a literary career that lasted a mere nine years, he produced more than twenty-five books. His novels were stories of action and adventure, but in the spirit of their day they affirmed rather than challenged the rules and expectations of society. He believed that his writing could not only entertain but also uplift and educate the reader. In his later years he became a titular counselor and a member of the Imperial Cabinet. He died in St. Petersburg on April 29, 1770.