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Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin
About museum
Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin was a Russian realist writer and translator. Kuprin's literary legacy comprises more than 950 works in various genres. He is a recognized master of the short story and the author of major novellas such as 'Olesya', 'The Duel', 'The Pit', 'The Garnet Bracelet', 'Shulamith', 'Staff‑Captain Rybnikov', 'Gambrinus', 'The Junkers' and others. Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin was born into a poor family in Narovchat. After his father's death the family moved to Moscow. In Moscow Kuprin studied at an orphan school, at a military academy and at the Alexander Military School.
His first published literary work was the novella 'The Last Debut', which appeared in 1889. From 1890 Kuprin served as a second lieutenant in an infantry regiment, and during his service he produced sketches, stories and novellas such as 'The Inquiry', 'On a Moonlit Night' and 'In the Dark'. After retiring from the service he began to travel around Russia and try his hand at various professions. This period was marked by important acquaintances with famous writers of the time — Ivan Bunin, Anton Chekhov and Maxim Gorky — who influenced his work.
In 1905 he published the novella 'The Duel', which brought him recognition. Subsequently he produced well-known works such as 'Olesya', 'The Garnet Bracelet', and the cycles 'Kiev Types' and 'Azure Shores'. Disagreement with the policy of War Communism prompted Kuprin to move to France in 1919. In emigration the writer faced financial difficulties and in 1937 returned to Russia. His last published work was the essay 'My Native Moscow'. Alexander Ivanovich died on August 25, 1938, and was buried in Leningrad at the Volkovo Cemetery next to the grave of Ivan Turgenev.
Date of birth
07 September 1870
Date of death
25 August 1938
Occupation
Writer