Alexander Nikolayevich Ostrovsky

Alexander Nikolayevich Ostrovsky was a Russian writer and playwright, the founder of modern Russian theatre, the creator of the Artistic Circle, a corresponding member of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences, and a recipient of the Uvarov Prize. Alexander Ostrovsky was born into a merchant family and received a quality home education. He later graduated from a gymnasium and, at his father's insistence, enrolled at Moscow University in the Faculty of Law, but because of his passion for theatre and literature he never completed his studies; however, he worked for a time as a court clerk.

 

Literary fame came to Ostrovsky in 1849 after the publication of the play "It's a Family Affair—We'll Settle It!", which was highly praised by critics and writers such as Gogol and Goncharov. He was followed by plays that became classics of Russian drama — "The Storm", "The Girl Without a Dowry", and "The Forest". Ostrovsky depicted the life of the Russian people realistically and masterfully developed the psychological portraits of his characters.

 

Alexander Nikolayevich Ostrovsky is rightfully regarded as a reformer of Russian stage culture. In 1866 he created the Artistic Circle, which included and helped develop the potential of many talented actors. Ostrovsky associated with the leading writers of his time: Goncharov, Turgenev, Dostoevsky, and Tolstoy. In 1874 he headed the Society of Russian Dramatic Writers and Opera Composers and in that capacity made a significant contribution to improving the lives of theatre workers. Ostrovsky died on June 2 (June 14), 1886 at his estate. The writer was buried next to his father in the village of Nikolo-Berezhki in the Kostroma Governorate.