Leo Nikolaevich
Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy
Full Name and Common Aliases
Leo Tolstoy was born as Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoi in 1828 and is commonly known by his pen name, Leo Tolstoy.
Birth and Death Dates
September 9, 1828 – November 20, 1910
Nationality and Profession(s)
Russian novelist, philosopher, and social reformer
Early Life and Background
Leo Tolstoy was born into a noble family in Tula, Russia. His early life was marked by a comfortable but somewhat lonely existence on the family's estate. Tolstoy's father was a military general and his mother came from a wealthy merchant family. He had two younger brothers and a sister who died young.
Tolstoy's education began at home with a private tutor, followed by attendance at a boarding school in Moscow. In 1844, he enrolled in the University of Kazan where he studied law and oriental languages. However, his university years were marked by rebellion against authority and he eventually abandoned his studies to join the Russian army.
Major Accomplishments
Tolstoy's literary career spanned over four decades and produced some of the greatest works of 19th-century literature. His novels include:
War and Peace (1865-1869) - a sweeping epic that follows the lives of several aristocratic Russian families during the Napoleonic Wars.
Anna Karenina (1875-1877) - a tragic love story set against the backdrop of 19th-century Russian society.
In addition to his novels, Tolstoy was also a prolific essayist and philosopher. His non-fiction works include:
The Kingdom of God is Within You (1894) - a philosophical treatise on pacifism and social reform.
A Confession (1882) - an autobiographical work in which Tolstoy grappled with his faith and moral values.
Notable Works or Actions
Tolstoy's writing is characterized by its realistic portrayal of life, its philosophical depth, and its literary innovation. He was a master of the novel form, experimenting with non-linear narrative structures and multiple plot threads.
Some notable works include:
The Death of Ivan Ilyich (1886) - a novella that explores the meaning of death and the human condition.
Resurrection (1899) - a novel based on Tolstoy's own experiences as a judge in a Russian court.
Tolstoy was also a vocal advocate for social reform. He believed in the importance of living simply, rejecting materialism and violence, and promoting non-violent resistance to authority.
Impact and Legacy
Tolstoy's impact on literature is immense. His works have been translated into over 100 languages and continue to be widely read and studied today. His influence can be seen in the work of writers such as Fyodor Dostoevsky, Virginia Woolf, and Albert Camus.
As a philosopher and social reformer, Tolstoy's ideas on non-violence, pacifism, and simple living have inspired generations of thinkers and activists. He was a vocal critic of imperialism and militarism, and his writings continue to challenge readers to think critically about the world around them.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Tolstoy's writing is often quoted because of its literary merit and philosophical depth. His novels are masterpieces of 19th-century literature, offering insights into the human condition that continue to resonate with readers today.
His non-fiction works, particularly The Kingdom of God is Within You and A Confession, offer a unique glimpse into Tolstoy's own spiritual struggles and his vision for a more just and peaceful world.
Tolstoy's legacy extends far beyond his writings. He was a pioneering thinker who challenged the status quo and inspired others to do the same. His commitment to non-violence, social reform, and simple living continues to inspire readers around the world.
Quotes by Leo Nikolaevich
The means to gain happiness is to throw out from oneself like a spider in all directions an adhesive web of love, and to catch in it all that comes
And all people live, not by reason of any care they have for themselves,but by the love for them that is in other people.
In this definition is contained the answer to the question as to what gives men the power to establish laws. What gives them the power to establish laws is the same thing which secures obedience to them - organized violence.
If there is no higher reason--and there is none--then my own reason must be the supreme judge of my life
I know that my unity with all people cannot be destroyed by national boundaries and government orders.
There was no answer except the usual answer life gives to the most complicated and insoluble questions. This answer is: carry on with your everyday affairs, that is to say, put it out of your mind.
Art is a human activity having for its purpose the transmission to others of the highest and best feelings to which men have risen.
The more everybody lives, the more life reveals to him; what was unknown becomes known.
Ivan Ilyich's life was most simple, and most ordinary, and therefore most terrible.
What an immense mass of evil must result...from allowing men to assume the right of anticipating what may happen.