The Russian writer Saltykov-Shchedrin has remained in history as one of the most famous prose writers whom the Russian land presented to the world. His keen and lively mind, coupled with a tendency toward sarcasm, helped him mercilessly make fun of human vices, and he did not hesitate to ridicule even those in power. This provided him with considerable literary success and turned him into one of the recognized geniuses of Russian literature.
The future writer came to the institute of the nobility at the age of ten. Subsequently, he was transferred to the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum for success in his studies. His name was Saltykov, and he added the prefix Shchedrin as a pseudonym. Saltykov-Shchedrin’s mother, a strict and despotic woman, in her childhood distinguished him from all the other children. However, by the time he reached adolescence, her attitude toward him changed dramatically. The writer had nothing to do with the famous noble family Saltykov, leading its origin from the provincial nobility. Because of this, he, as a namesake, was mercilessly teased at the lyceum, bringing him to an extremely nervous state, in which he remained until the end of his days.
In the absence of manners and upbringing, researchers blame the Saltykov-Shchedrin family. His father, a nobleman, did not take part in the upbringing of children, putting these concerns on the shoulders of his wife, a merchant’s daughter. Yes, and brought them up in their own way, and in those years the gap between merchants and noblemen in these matters was very large. He was fluent in German and French. Contemporaries mentioned that it was not easy to carry out the Saltykov-Shchedrin society, as in everyday life he behaved emotionally and irrationally, like a child. Like many noblemen of those years, he loved gambling, which, however, always lost. There is evidence that he has always reacted very violently to the losses, often scandals. At least, he did not lose significant sums, unlike, for example, Nekrasov.
Immediately after the publication of the first story, Saltykov-Shchedrin was sent to the province, since the authorities did not appreciate some of the hints contained in it. After Alexander II came to power, the writer was forgiven and even appointed vice-governor of the Tver province. The word “softness” that later entered into the dictionaries was invented and it was he who introduced it. Occupying a high position, Saltykov-Shchedrin, according to the memoirs of contemporaries, often behaved rudely and arrogantly. He was fired from public service after a scandal that erupted after he published an offensive feuilleton against the Tula governor Shydlouski. One of the best works of the writer, “Lord Golovlyov,” is a satirical image of his own family, in which he was born and raised. Already at a mature age, Saltykov-Shchedrin married the 15-year-old daughter of a provincial vice-governor. Subsequently, his wife openly cheated on him throughout his life. They had two children. The writer died due to complications caused by the common cold.
