The poet Derzhavin Gabriel Romanovich was born on July 3 (July 14), 1743 in the Kazan province into a family of impoverished nobles. His childhood was spent on a family estate in the village of Sokury. Since 1759, Derzhavin studied at the Kazan gymnasium.
In 1762, the future poet entered service as an ordinary guardsman in the Preobrazhensky Regiment. In 1772 he was promoted to ensign, receiving his first officer rank. In 1773 - 1775, Derzhavin, as part of the regiment, participated in the suppression of the uprising of Emelyan Pugachev.
Civil service
Since 1777, Derzhavin entered the civil service in the Government Senate with the rank of state councilor. In 1784 - 1788 he held the post of ruler of the Olonetsky, and then the Tambov governorship. Even in a brief biography of Derzhavin, it is worth mentioning that he was actively involved in improving the economy of the region and contributed to the formation of provincial administrative, judicial and financial institutions.
In 1791, Derzhavin was appointed cabinet secretary of Catherine II. Since 1793, the poet has served as the empress's secret adviser. In 1795, Derzhavin received the post of president of the Commerce Collegium. From 1802 to 1803 he served as Minister of Justice.
last years of life
In 1803, Derzhavin retired and settled on his Zvanka estate in the Novgorod province. The poet devotes the last years of his life literary activity. In 1813, Derzhavin, whose biography was full of trips even during this period, went to Ukraine to visit V.V. Kapnist. In 1815, he attended an exam at the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum, listening to the works of the young Alexander Pushkin.
On July 8 (July 20), 1816, Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin died on his estate. The poet was buried in the Transfiguration Cathedral of the Varlaamo-Khutyn Monastery near Veliky Novgorod.
Creation
The work of Gabriel Derzhavin is considered the pinnacle of Russian classicism. The poet's first works appeared during his military service. In 1773, Derzhavin made his debut in the magazine “Antiquity and Novelty” with a translation of the passage “Iroizha, or Letters of Vivlida to Kavno” from the works of Ovid. In 1774, the works “Ode on Greatness” and “Ode on Nobility” saw the light of day.
In 1776, the poet’s first collection of poems, “Odes Translated and Composed at Mount Chitalagoe,” was published.
Since 1779, Derzhavin has been moving away from the traditions laid down by Sumarokov and Lomonosov, working on philosophical lyrics. In 1782, the ode “Felitsa” was published, dedicated to Empress Catherine II, which brought the poet wide literary fame. Soon others appeared famous works Derzhavin - “Nobleman”, “Eugene. Life of Zvanskaya”, “On the Death of Prince Meshchersky”, “God”, “Dobrynya”, “Waterfall”, “Herod and Mariamne”, etc.
In 1808, a collection of Derzhavin’s works was published in four volumes.
Chronological table
Other biography options
- The Derzhavin family originates from the son of the Tatar Murza Bagrim, who bore the name Derzhava.
- The first wife of G.R. Derzhavin was Ekaterina Bastidon, the daughter of the Portuguese Bastidon, the former valet of Peter III.
- Derzhavin studied German from the age of seven, read Klopstock, Gellert, Kleist, Haller, Gagedorn in the original, which significantly affected his literary work.
- Derzhavin’s poem “The Thunder of Victory, Ring Out!”, created in 1791, became the first unofficial anthem of Russia.
- For differences in public service Derzhavin Gabriel Romanovich was awarded the Order
Derzhavin Gabriel Romanovich, whose biography formed the basis of this article, forever entered Russian history not only as an outstanding poet and playwright, but also as a statesman who went from a private in the guard to the head of the Ministry of Justice. Having had a huge influence on the further development of Russian literature, he at the same time became a model of a true citizen and patriot.
The childhood of a young poet
Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin was born on July 14, 1743 in the family village of Sokury near Kazan. The family had many children, and due to the early death of its head, Roman Nikolaevich, the mother of the future poet, Fyokla Andreevna, could not give the children a proper education. This was also hampered by frequent moves caused by various everyday circumstances.
Nevertheless, while studying at an Orenburg school and then at a Kazan gymnasium, young Gabriel Derzhavin early became addicted to classical Russian poetry, the highest examples of which at that time were the poems of M. Lomonosov, V. Trediakovsky and A. Sumarokov. His first own poetic experiments date back to this time. However, the early poems of the novice poet came out somewhat clumsily and clumsily - this was due to the lack of knowledge of the basics of versification and the opportunity to consult with someone more experienced in this area.
Army service
In 1762, Gabriel Derzhavin was assigned as a private in the Preobrazhensky Guards Regiment, which took part in the coup d'etat, which resulted in the accession to the throne of Empress Catherine II. The years spent in the army, by the poet’s own admission, were the most joyless period of his life. Heavy military service took up almost all of his time and energy, allowing him to write poetry only in rare free moments.
Subsequently, Gabriel Derzhavin, briefly describing in his memoirs the features of army life, said that in those years he often indulged in a common vice of the guards regiments - playing cards. Moreover, having found himself in an environment where cheating flourished, he himself quickly learned their trickster tricks, and only thanks to “God and his mother’s prayers” - that’s exactly what he wrote in his memoirs - did he not slide to the bottom of society.
Looking ahead to your future career
Beginning in 1772, the further biography of Gabriel Derzhavin took a different direction: he was promoted to officer, and from 1773 to 1775 he took part in the work of the state commission investigating the circumstances of the Pugachev rebellion.
Experiencing severe financial difficulties, Gabriel Romanovich turned to the empress herself for help, since in those days the autocrats did not yet disdain to read the letters of their subjects. His direct superior, Commander-in-Chief of the troops, Chief General A. Bibikov, attached his own report to the message, in which he highly appreciated Derzhavin’s merits in “establishing law-abidingness among the Kalmyks.” As a result, very soon the young man was awarded the rank of collegiate adviser and became the owner of 300 serf souls, bestowed upon him personally by the empress.
First marriage and attainment of creative maturity
In the same year, 1775, another important and joyful event occurred in the life of Gabriel Derzhavin - he got married. His wife was the sixteen-year-old girl Ekaterina Bastidon, whose father was once the valet of the murdered sovereign Peter III, and his mother was the nurse of the future Emperor Paul I. As befits a true poet, Derzhavin sang his chosen one in verse, calling her Plenira - from the verb “to captivate”.
Most researchers of the poet’s work consider these years to be the period when he acquired his own literary style, which made it possible to create a cycle of outstanding works in the genre of philosophical lyrics. At the same time, his works began to be published for the first time, but did not bring the author widespread fame in literary circles.
Golden snuffbox from the hands of the Empress
Fame came to Derzhavin only after writing the ode “Felitsa”, dedicated to Empress Catherine II. In this work, filled with the most loyal feelings, the author presented the Russian autocrat as the ideal of an enlightened ruler and mother of nations.
Such obvious flattery, dressed in a highly artistic form, did not go without due reward. The “Mother of Nations” granted the poet a golden snuff-box studded with diamonds and filled with chervonets, after which Gabriel Romanovich’s career took off sharply. Appointments to various high positions followed one after another, but Derzhavin’s character traits prevented him from getting along with other officials and caused frequent transfers from place to place.
At the head of the Olonets region
In 1776, the previously created Olonets province was transformed into a governorate, and by decree of the Empress, Gabriel Derzhavin was appointed its first governor. His responsibilities, among other things, included monitoring compliance with the law by all officials subordinate to him. This turned out to be the cause of many troubles that soon followed.
In those early years, embezzlers were not yet called corrupt officials, but this did not make them less numerous. Theft was widespread, and the expression “take according to rank” even came into use. This meant that petty bureaucrats could “grasp” with impunity only a small fraction of what they had access to. Middle-level officials were secretly allowed to profit in a much larger volume, but everyone, “a greedy crowd standing at the throne,” as M.Yu. Lermontov, - they plunged their hand into the treasury up to the elbow with impunity.
It was these lawlessnesses that once happened in Russia that Gabriel Romanovich encountered in his new post. Being a decent and law-abiding person, he tried his best to fight the evil that surrounded him, but as a result he only made numerous ill-wishers both in the structures under his control and in court circles, which was the reason for his subsequent resignation.
Nevertheless, during the years spent as governor, and having a residence first in Petrozavodsk and then in Tambov, Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin managed to do many good deeds before his resignation. Thus, through his efforts, the first Tambov theater was opened, a city school was built, a hospital for the poor opened its doors, and a printing house began operating.
Cabinet Secretary of the Empress
The next step on the career ladder of Gabriel Derzhavin was service as the personal office secretary of Catherine II. Ignoring the slander that rained down on the poet from all sides, the Empress brought him closer to her as a sign of gratitude for the ode he had once written in her honor.
But Gabriel Romanovich did not stay in this position for long, since he had the habit of reporting on all matters, presenting them in a true, and sometimes unsightly, light, which greatly upset his benefactress. He also bothered her with constant petitions for those in need and suffering from injustice. It ended with the Empress being tired of him, and she sent him out of sight - she transferred him to the Senate.
Creator of the first Russian anthem
While in this honorable exile, Derzhavin created his most famous work. In 1791, inspired by the news of the capture of the Turkish fortress of Izmail by Russian troops under the command of A.V. Suvorov, he wrote the poem “The Thunder of Victory, Ring Out.” Set to music by composer Osip Kozlovsky, over the following years it was the official anthem of Russia, which was replaced only in 1833 by the famous “God Save the Tsar,” written by another outstanding Russian poet, V. Zhukovsky, in collaboration with composer A. Lvov.
Remarriage
In 1794, Gabriel Romanovich’s wife, the muse he once sang in poetry, died, giving her the romantic name Plenira. After a year, the not-so-old widower married again. He united his fate with Daria Alekseevna Dyakova, who also became the heroine of his poems, this time under the name Milena.
Both marriages of the famous poet, although filled with love, turned out to be childless. Having no offspring of their own, the couple raised the children of the deceased family friend P. Lazarev. One of them, Mikhail, later became a famous admiral, discoverer and explorer of the Arctic.
Career peak
During the reign of Paul I, Derzhavin served as president of the Commerce Collegium and state treasurer, and Alexander I, who subsequently ascended the throne, appointed him minister of justice. But wherever he served, Gabriel Romanovich tried with all his might to eradicate bribery and embezzlement, which invariably made enemies for himself. In 1803, he submitted a petition to the highest name and ended his government activities, devoting himself entirely to literature.
Subsequent life and work of the poet
Even before his resignation, Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin loved Zvanka, an estate that belonged to his second wife Daria Alekseevna. In it he spent last years his life, writing about 60 poems and preparing the first volume of his works for publication. In addition to poetic works, his name is associated with works in the field of drama. These include librettos created for several operas, as well as tragedies: “Herod and Marianne”, “Eupraxia” and “The Dark One”.
Derzhavin's poetry had a huge influence on the early work of A. S. Pushkin, who read his poems from childhood and studied them in Russian literature classes at the Lyceum. They only got to see each other once. In 1815, Derzhavin was invited to the Lyceum exam, where the still very young Alexander Pushkin read his famous poem “Memories of Tsarskoe Selo” in his presence. A reproduction from a painting by I. E. Repin reproducing this episode is presented in the article. The venerable master, seeing his brilliant successor in the dark young man and deeply touched by his poems, wanted to hug Pushkin, but he ran away, unable to hold back his sobs.
The death of the poet and the subsequent fate of his remains
Death overtook him in 1816 on the Zvanka estate, which, as mentioned above, Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin loved before his retirement, often visited, and in which he spent the rest of his life. His ashes, transported along the Volkhov to Velikiy Novgorod, was buried in the Transfiguration Cathedral, located on the territory of the Varlaamo-Khutyn Monastery. Later, his second wife, Daria Alekseevna, was buried there.
During the Great Patriotic War the monastery found itself in a combat zone and was completely destroyed. The Derzhavins' grave was also badly damaged. In 1959, their remains were reburied, placed in the Novgorod Detinets, and in 1993, when the poet’s 250th anniversary was celebrated, they were returned to the Varlaamo-Khutyn Monastery, which had been revived by that time.
Among the names of outstanding Russian poets who brought glory to Russian literature, Gabriel Derzhavin, short biography which was presented in this article. The study of his life and work has great importance not only from the aesthetic side, but also from the educational side, since the truths that he preached are eternal.
- Private, gambler, collegiate adviser
- “Felitsa” and the first anthem of Russia
Gavriil Derzhavin went down in history not only as a writer, he went from a private in the guard to the Minister of Justice Russian Empire. He was the governor of two regions and personal assistant to Catherine II. He wrote the first unofficial anthem of Russia, participated in one of the first literary circles of the 18th century, and then created his own - “Conversation of Lovers of the Russian Word.”
Gabriel Derzhavin was born in 1743 near Kazan. His father died early, and it was difficult for his mother to give her sons a good education. The family moved often. First, Derzhavin studied at an Orenburg school, then at a Kazan gymnasium. Here he became acquainted with the poetry of Mikhail Lomonosov, Alexander Sumarokov, Vasily Trediakovsky and tried to write poetry himself. Vladislav Khodasevich wrote about his first works: “It came out clumsy and clumsy; neither a verse nor a syllable was given, and there was no one to show it to, no one to ask for advice and guidance.”.
Since 1762, Gabriel Derzhavin served as an ordinary guardsman in the Preobrazhensky Regiment. The poet recalled this time as the most joyless period of his life. He carried out heavy military service, and in rare free moments he wrote poetry. In part, Derzhavin became addicted to cards, he wrote in his autobiography: “I learned conspiracies and all sorts of gamer scams. But, thank God, my mother’s conscience, or better yet, her prayers, never allowed her to indulge in brazen theft or treacherous betrayal.”. Because of his destructive hobby, Derzhavin was once almost demoted to soldier: he was so carried away by the game that he did not return from discharge on time.
Ivan Smirnovsky. Portrait of Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin. 1790
Having decided to end his wild life, Derzhavin moved to St. Petersburg. At this time, the plague was raging in Russia, and at the quarantine outpost - at the entrance to the capital - the poet was forced to burn all his papers: “Everything that I scribbled throughout my youth after almost 20 years, such as: translations from German language and his own writings in prose and poetry. Whether they were good or bad, it is now impossible to say; but among his close friends who read it... they praised him very much.”. Many of the lost poems were later reproduced by Gabriel Derzhavin from memory.
In the years Peasants' War(1773–1775) Gabriel Derzhavin served on the Volga, worked on the commission to investigate the affairs of Emelyan Pugachev’s accomplices. He wrote an “exhortation to the Kalmyks,” in which he called on them to repent and not support peasant unrest. The commander-in-chief of the troops, Alexander Bibikov, sent this message along with a report to Catherine II. Derzhavin's financial situation was difficult, and soon he wrote a letter to the Empress listing his merits. The poet was appointed collegiate adviser and was granted 300 souls. And four years later a book with odes to Derzhavin was published.
Soon, Gabriel Derzhavin married Ekaterina Bastidon, the daughter of the former valet of Peter III and nurse of Paul I. Derzhavin called his wife Plenira - from the word “to captivate” - and dedicated many poems to her. It was during these years that he acquired his own literary style. He wrote philosophical lyrics - odes “On the Death of Prince Meshchersky” (1799), “God” (1784), the poem “Autumn during the Siege of Ochakov” (1788).
“Felitsa” and the first anthem of Russia
Derzhavin published, but he was not very well known in literary circles. Everything changed in 1783, when the poet wrote the ode “Felitsa” with a dedication to Catherine II. The poet took the title from the empress’s pedagogical work, “Tales of Prince Chlorus.” In his poem, the “princess of the Kyrgyz-Kaisak horde” turned into the ideal of an enlightened ruler, the mother of the people. For the ode, Derzhavin was awarded a gold snuffbox studded with diamonds, containing 500 chervonets. And after a loud poetic performance, the poet began to receive high positions. However, Derzhavin’s principled character prevented him from getting along with officials, and he was often transferred from place to place.
“As soon as some injustice or oppression meted out to someone touches his ears or, on the contrary, some feat of philanthropy and good deed - immediately his cap is askew, it comes to life, his eyes sparkle, and the poet turns into an orator, a champion of the truth.”
Stepan Zhikharev
Salvator Tonchi. Portrait of Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin. 1801
In 1784 he was appointed Olonets governor in Petrozavodsk, and in 1785 he was transferred to Tambov. This region was then one of the most backward in the country. Derzhavin built a school, a hospital, an orphanage in Tambov, opened a city theater and the first printing house in the city.
Six years later, the poet went into the service of the Empress personally: he became her cabinet secretary. But since honest Derzhavin reported more “every kind of unpleasant thing, that is, petitions for injustice, rewards for merit and favors due to poverty”, Catherine II tried to contact her assistant as rarely as possible, and soon he was completely transferred to serve in the Senate.
In 1791, Derzhavin created the first anthem of Russia, albeit unofficial. There was a war with Turkey, Russian troops led by Alexander Suvorov took the Izmail fortress. Inspired by this victory, Derzhavin wrote the poem “The Thunder of Victory, Ring Out!” The poem was set to music by composer Osip Kozlovsky. Only 15 years later, “Thunder of Victory” was replaced by the official anthem “God Save the Tsar!”
After the death of his first wife, the poet married a second time - to Daria Dyakova. Derzhavin did not have children in any marriage. The couple took care of the children of a deceased family friend, Pyotr Lazarev. One of his sons, Mikhail Lazarev, became an admiral, discoverer of Antarctica, and governor of Sevastopol. Daria Dyakova’s nieces were also raised in the family.
Under Paul I, Derzhavin served in the Supreme Council, was president of the Commerce Collegium and state treasurer. Under Emperor Alexander I - Minister of Justice of the Russian Empire. All this time the poet continued to write. He created the odes “God”, “Nobleman”, “Waterfall”. In 1803, Gabriel Derzhavin finally left government service.
I didn't know how to pretend
Look like a saint
To inflate yourself with an important dignity,
And the philosopher takes the form......I fell, I got up in my age.
Come on, sage! on my coffin there is a stone,
If you're not human.Gabriel Derzhavin
“Conversation among lovers of the Russian word”
After his resignation, Gabriel Derzhavin devoted himself entirely to literature. He wrote tragedies, comedies and operas for the theater, and created poetic translations of Racine. The poet also composed fables (“Blind Man’s Bluff”, “Choice of a Minister”), and worked on the treatise “Discourse on Lyric Poetry or an Ode.” “Notes,” as the author called them, contained the theory of versification and examples of poetry different periods, starting with ancient Greek. In 1812, the poet wrote the fairy tale “The Tsar Maiden”.
Gabriel Derzhavin organized the literary circle “Conversation of Lovers of the Russian Word.” It included writers Dmitry Khvostov, Alexander Shishkov, Alexander Shakhovskoy, Ivan Dmitriev.
“His head was a repository of comparisons, comparisons, maxims and pictures for his future poetic works. He spoke abruptly and not eloquently. But the same man spoke for a long time, sharply and passionately when he recounted some dispute on an important matter in the Senate or about court intrigues, and sat until midnight at the paper when he wrote a vote, conclusion or draft of some government decree. .
Ivan Dmitriev
"Besedchiki" adhered to conservative views on literary creativity, opposed reforms of the Russian language - they were defended by supporters of Nikolai Karamzin. The Karamzinists were the main opponents of Beseda; later they formed the Arzamas society.
Gabriel Derzhavin’s last work was the unfinished poem “The River of Times in its Aspiration...”. In 1816, the poet died on his Novgorod estate Zvanka.
In the first decade of the 19th century, Borovikovsky’s portrait concept underwent a significant metamorphosis: his brush leaned toward the classicist ideal. The silhouette becomes simple and clear, local color replaces light-shading, and the pictorial texture becomes denser. As a rule, the artist prefers to portrait persons of mature age, whose proud posture is filled with “noble simplicity and calm grandeur.” In line with this trend, the image of G.R. found its place. Derzhavin, the great poet of Russian classicism.
Derzhavin Gavrila Romanovich (1743-1816) - poet, statesman, privy councilor. From the small landed nobility. In 1762 he began serving as a soldier in the Preobrazhensky Regiment. Together with the regiment, he takes part in the palace coup, as a result of which Catherine II ascends the throne. In 1772 Derzhavin is promoted to officer. His first appearances in print date back to the same period. In 1773 Derzhavin participated in the suppression of the Pugachev uprising. During the suppression of the rebellion, Derzhavin proves himself to be a brave and energetic officer, but his inability to please his superiors leads to him being bypassed for awards. Derzhavin’s attempts to achieve a well-deserved reward ended with his dismissal from the civil service with the rank of collegiate adviser and the receipt of 300 peasants in Belarus. In 1777, having found patronage from Prince Vyazemsky, Derzhavin entered service in the Senate. In 1778 he married a 16-year-old girl, Ekaterina Bastidon. In 1780 he received the rank of state councilor. In 1784, after a conflict with Vyazemsky, who hid state revenues, he retired and became governor of Tambov. His energy very soon led to a clash with his superiors here too. The Senate did not support Derzhavin - not only removed him from office, but opened a case against him. The Empress closed the case, but did not confirm his innocence. His odes, however, pleased Catherine and her favorites. Derzhavin was appointed Secretary of State of the Empress. But the service here was unsuccessful for Derzhavin. He failed to please the empress, because she demanded new poems, and he brought piles of papers to Catherine, demanding her attention to complicated matters related to the corruption of courtiers and senior officials. Catherine II appoints Derzhavin as her cabinet secretary. But even in this post, his character remains the same: not pleasing the empress, Derzhavin was dismissed from office and in 1793. - appointed senator. Given the small role played by the Senate, this was a sign of disfavor. He was awarded the Order of Vladimir, II degree, and received the rank of Privy Councilor. After the accession of Paul I, Derzhavin was first persecuted, but then, with an ode to the emperor’s accession to the throne, he returned his favor. The poet receives honorary commissions, becomes a Knight of the Order of Malta, and (1794) is appointed president of the Commerce College. Derzhavin's wife dies. On her death in 1793, he writes a heartfelt poem “Swallow”. Soon (1795) Derzhavin married Daria Alekseevna Dyakova. He himself explained his quick second marriage not by love, but “so that, remaining a widower, he would not become dissolute.” There were no children from either the first or second marriage. In 1802–1803, in connection with the transformation of the state apparatus, Alexander I appointed Derzhavin as the first Minister of Justice in Russian history, simultaneously performing the functions of Prosecutor General. He lasted only a year in office and was sent into full retirement. When asked directly why he was being fired, the emperor answered frankly: “You serve very zealously.”
Immortal Tonchi! you are mine
In that face, I hear you write,
Whatever your skill is
In ancient Omir, Aristides,
Socrates and Cato forever
The descendants of the later ones were surprised;
It shone in the gray hairs of my bald head,
And a person would mature in him,
Don't scare your wife, friends,
Give me a little tenderness:
So that I can be kind to children,
Only in office would I judge everyone strictly;
So that the heat boils in my blood,
And the eyes shone with softness;
The beauties would sigh for me,
At least in platonic love.
November 1801
Source: G.R. Derzhavin. Complete collection poems. – L.: Soviet writer, 1957, pp. 285–286. Notes
2. Tonchiyu.– first published: An. p., p. 105. Print. according to Ed. 1808, vol. 3, p. 121.
When the famous Italian artist Salvator Tonchi (1756–1844), who arrived in Russia in the mid-1790s, began to paint a portrait of Derzhavin, some advised him to depict the poet in a uniform and in all orders, others - without any decorations. Tonchi turned to Derzhavin himself, “who, in order to satisfy both sides of the debaters, ordered to present himself as he is described in this ode.” That is, the poet composed his “instruction” for him in poetic form.
Poem written as “a program for a portrait of the author (Derzhavin), given to this painter on November 1801” (Ob. D., 718). The artist accurately embodied the poet’s intention, conveying in the painting the content of the 4th and 5th stanzas of the poem. He even tried to convey the content of the line “To walk, we are only led by nature” by depicting Derzhavin’s footprints in the snow. The painting is kept in the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow.
Total Tonchi created 3 portraits of Derzhavin: a sketch (presented on this page) and 2 paintings, one of which was sent as a gift to the Irkutsk millionaire Sibiryakov (the same one who sent an expensive gift to the capital - a sable fur coat and a hat - to the first poet, who was Gavrila Derzhavin in 1801) . A painting from the State Tretyakov Gallery after the opening of the Museum of G.R. Derzhavin and Russian literature of his time in St. Petersburg is in
