Leo tolstoy

Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910) was a Russian author, philosopher, and social reformer. He is considered one of the greatest authors in literary history, known for his works such as War and Peace and Anna Karenina.

Early Life

Tolstoy was born on September 9, 1828, in Yasnaya Polyana, his family's estate. He was the youngest of four siblings. His mother died when he was two years old, and his father passed away when he was nine. Tolstoy and his siblings were then raised by relatives.

Career

Tolstoy began his career by writing autobiographical novels, including Childhood, Boyhood, and Youth. His experiences in the Crimean War as a young soldier influenced his perspective on life and death, which is reflected in his later works.

His most famous novels, War and Peace and Anna Karenina, are considered masterpieces of realist fiction. War and Peace is a historical novel that tells the story of five aristocratic families during the Napoleonic Wars, while Anna Karenina explores themes of love, faith, and betrayal in 19th-century Russian society.

Philosophy and Beliefs

Tolstoy's philosophical beliefs greatly influenced his writing. He became a fervent Christian anarchist and pacifist, advocating for nonviolent resistance in works such as The Kingdom of God Is Within You. His ideas on nonviolent resistance influenced figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr..

Death and Legacy

Tolstoy died of pneumonia on November 20, 1910, at the age of 82. His works continue to be widely read and studied, and his ideas on nonviolent resistance have had a significant impact on the world.

See Also

• Russian literature
• Realism (arts)
• Christian anarchism
• Pacifism

References

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