Veniamin Aleksandrovich Kaverin
Veniamin Aleksandrovich Kaverin was a notable Russian writer born on April 19, 1902, in Pskov, Russia. From a young age, he demonstrated a keen interest in poetry and literature, eventually moving to Moscow at sixteen to pursue higher education at Moscow University, where he studied history and philology. Kaverin was heavily involved in the literary scene, frequented the Stall of Pegasus café, and interacted with prominent authors such as Vladimir Mayakovsky and Sergei Esenin. He later transferred to Petrograd University, where he shifted his focus to philosophy and studied Arabic, leading to a successful career in fiction. His story "Odinnadtsataya aksioma" won a contest and caught the attention of renowned writer Maxim Gorky, who became a mentor to him. Kaverin's 1926 novel, "Konets khazy," provided a gritty portrayal of criminal life, showcasing his commitment to authenticity by immersing himself in Leningrad's underbelly. Throughout his career, he authored numerous novels, short stories, and essays and worked to rehabilitate the reputations of fellow writers. Kaverin passed away in Moscow in 1989, leaving behind a legacy in Russian literature.
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Veniamin Aleksandrovich Kaverin
Writer
- Born: April 19, 1902
- Birthplace: Pskov, Russia
- Died: May 2, 1989
- Place of death: Moscow, Russia
Biography
Veniamin Aleksandrovich Kaverin was born on April 19, 1902, in Pskov, Russia, the son of a band conductor. He studied at the Pskov gymnasium and at a young age expressed interest in writing poetry. He moved to Moscow when he was sixteen, and in 1919 entered the history and philology faculty of Moscow University. Along with his university studies, Kaverin also taught at the artistic department of the Moscow Soviet. While living in Moscow, Kaverin often visited the Stall of Pegasus, a popular and famous bohemian literary café, and he often met and talked with authors like Vladimir Mayakovsky, Sergei Esenin, and Andrei Bely. Taking advice from his brother-in-law, Yuri Tynyanov, Kaverin transferred to the philosophy faculty of Petrograd University in 1920. During this time, he also studied Arabic at the Institute of Eastern Languages.
Kaverin first attempted fiction with his story “Odinnadtsataya aksioma,” which he entered in a contest sponsored by the Petrograd House of Writers. The story won first place, earning him five thousand rubles and the attention of writer Maxim Gorky, who advised and befriended Kaverin throughout the next several years. In 1923, Kaverin graduated from the Institute of Eastern Languages, and in 1924, he graduated from Petrograd University. He then undertook graduate studies and defended his dissertation on the history of Russian journalism in 1929.
Kaverin’s novel, Konets khazy (1926), was a vivid and amazingly accurate depiction of gangsters and criminals. In order to make his dialogue more believable, he hung out in the slums and dives of Leningrad. He succeeded so well that he had to append a glossary of thieves’ jargon to the tale. Over the years, Keverin would write many more successful novels, short stories, and essays. He also worked to rehabilitate other writers whose reputations had been damaged. He died in Moscow in 1989.