Biography of Anton Chekhov

Science, literature, passion

29 January 1860
July 15, 1904
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov was born in Taganrog, sea of Azov, on 29 January 1860, to a family of humble origins. His father Pavel Egorovic is a grocer, son of a former SERF who had managed to get their ransom, putting together the necessary sum with his work as a merchant. His mother, Tatiana Morozova, Yevgenia is daughter of merchants. Although the childhood of the future writer and playwright and his five brothers was not happy, they had a good education. Dreamer, lover of nature, Chekhov quickly learns to survive alone in the middle of a large family and in the shadow of tyranny. After finishing high school, reaches in 1879 parents, who, following the failure of his father had moved to Moscatre years ago. Nineteen year old, Chekhov enrolled to University of Medicine: studies until 1884, when he graduated and began to practise as a doctor. The University years see Chekhov start writing novels and reportage, which publishes under several pseudonyms in humorous magazines.
These are the years of political turmoil, whose best known facts there is the assassination of Alexander II: Chekhov wary of extremism and ideologies and political involvements in academia remains detached from. Cold and rational observer Chekhov will saying: «the mother of all evil Russians is ignorance, which subsists in equal measure in all parties, all trends». Chekov leads a kind of double life: writes and works as a physician; writes: "medicine is my lawful wife and literature is my Mistress." Chekhov's narrative talent impresses favorably the writer Dmitry Vasilyev jevic Grigorovic. Acquainted with Alexei Suvorin, Director of the great conservative newspaper of Petersburg "Novoye Vremia" (new time), who offers him to partner with him.
Chekhov begins his work as a full-time writer, which will bring you in a short time to partner with other important literary magazines as "Russian Thinking", "Harbinger", "Russian" Lists. The first book is a collection of short stories, ' the tales of Melpomene "(1884), followed by a collection of short Stories" colorful "(1886)-playful, lively humorous portraits of life by State officials and petty bourgeois; both volumes are published under the pseudonym Antosha Cekhonte. Will appear then "the steppe" in 1888, and in 1890 his sixth collection of novellas. In the late 80 's and throughout the 90 's Chekhov engages in a more intense activity of writing, in which pessimism of the grim monotony of life, previously hidden in the folds of humor, becomes the dominant character, however attenuated by a voice of hope and faith. His most famous short stories that come from 1887 were published under the name of Anton Chekhov. Some of the most significant are: "Misery" (1887), "Kastanka" (1887), "in the Gloaming" (1887), "innocent" Discourses (1887), "the steppe" (1888), "the urge to sleep" (1888) "(for which he received the Premio Pu? kin, by the Academy of Sciences)," a boring story "(1889)," thieves "(1890)," Room # 6 "(1892)," the duel "(1891)," the lane "(1892)," my wife "(1892)," the tale of a stranger "(1893)," The black monk "(1894) "My life" (1896), "farmers" (1897), "a case of practice" (1897), "man in the box" (1897), "the Lady with the little dog" (1898), "the ravine" (1900). His stories are remarkable for simplicity and clarity, overtime for the wit and sense of humour.
Chekhov expresses his deep respect for the humble people, and manages to make visible the pain and anxiety present in the decadent society of the time. Unable to take advantage of its great reputation and despite the initial effects of tuberculosis, Chekhov part Sakalin Island, on the edge of Siberia. Its purpose is to explore and investigate the world of prisons («all that is terrible in life settles in any way in prisons»), in Siberia, where prisoners are deported and lead a dramatic life, and whose system anticipates that of concentration camps that will be seen in Europe in the 20th century. After a three-month stay Chekhov publishes a study-geographical, sociological and psychological-highly documented. The publication of "the Sakalin island", in 1893, will result in the repeal of the corporal punishment, the object of his complaint. In 1891 Chekhov travels both in France (where he will return to seek treatment in 1894 and in 1897), both in Italy.
Despite his enthusiasm for Florence and Venice, and Muscovite Russia's nostalgic; buy a property in 1892 in Melikhovo, where brings together the whole family. Here he devoted himself to gardening. The residence is often frequented by visitors, and to find the necessary concentration and solitude to work as a writer does build a little house far away from the residence. During this period he wrote "Room # 6", "black Monk", "Tales of a stranger" and "the Seagull". In the period 1892? 1893 an outbreak of cholera. Chekhov is dedicated firstly to his medical work, mostly for free. Meanwhile the terrible tale entitled "Mugichi" (1897).
In 1897, tuberculosis gets worse: must admit his illness, sell Melikhovo, leaving Moscow for the drier climate of the Crimea. He went to live in Yalta in 1899, where he edited a new garden. His illness did not slow down his social commitment: does build three schools and, in 1899, gives the alarm to public opinion on famine reigning Volga regions by promoting a fundraiser. In May 1901 bride Olga Knipper Theatre, art young actress whom she met three years ago on the occasion of the triumph of "the Seagull" in Moscow. While Olga works in Moscow, Chekhov stands alone, exiled in a region that does not love. After having witnessed the triumph of his latest comedy, "The Cherry Orchard" Chekhov travels to Germany with his wife, looking for a chance of cure. Anton Chekhov dies while travelling, in Badenweiler Black Forest resort, on July 15, 1904, at the age of forty-four years. Article contributed by the team of collaborators.