The great Russian poet Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin was born in the Kazan province in 1743. After initial home education in literacy, numbers and the German language, under the guidance of clergymen, the exiled German Rose, Lebedev and Poletaev, Derzhavin was sent to the Kazan gymnasium, which opened in 1759. Here Derzhavin became especially fond of drawing and fell in love with the art of engineering. When the director of the gymnasium, M.I. Verevkin, presented the works of the best students, including Gavriil Derzhavin, to the curator Shuvalov, Derzhavin was announced as the conductor of the engineering corps. At the beginning of 1762, a demand came that Derzhavin report for service in the Preobrazhensky Regiment. Shuvalov apparently forgot that he himself appointed Derzhavin to the engineering corps. Subsequently, Gabriel Romanovich did not have to supplement his education, and its absence is reflected in all his poetry. He himself understood this; later he wrote: “I confess my shortcoming is that I was brought up at a time and within the boundaries of the empire, when and where the enlightenment of science had not yet fully penetrated not only the minds of the people, but also the state to which I belong.” "

Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin

12 years of military service are the darkest and most bleak period in the biography of Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin. At first, he had to live in the barracks with the soldiers. There was nothing to think about literary creativity and science: only at night it was possible to read something and write poetry. Since Derzhavin did not have “protectors,” he advanced extremely slowly in his career. After the accession to the throne of Catherine II, Derzhavin asked Alexei Orlov himself in a letter for a promotion and only thanks to this he received the rank of corporal. After a year's leave, Gabriel Romanovich returned to St. Petersburg and from that time began to live in the barracks with the nobles. If material conditions improved somewhat, new inconveniences appeared. Derzhavin began to indulge in carousing and cards. After a second vacation to Kazan (1767), Derzhavin stopped in Moscow and spent about 2 years here. Here, a wild life almost led Derzhavin to death: he became a sharper and indulged in all sorts of tricks for money. Finally, in 1770 he decided to leave Moscow and change his lifestyle.

In 1772, Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin received his first officer rank. From that time on, he begins to withdraw from bad society, and if he plays cards, then “out of necessity for a living.” In 1773 A. I. Bibikova was tasked with pacifying the Pugachev rebellion. To conduct investigative cases, Bibikov took Derzhavin with him, by the way, at his personal request. Gabriel Romanovich developed the most energetic activities during the Pugachev era. At first, he attracted Bibikov’s attention with his investigation into the case of the surrender of Samara. While in Kazan, Derzhavin, on behalf of the nobles, composed a speech in response to the rescript of Catherine II, which was then published in St. Petersburg Vedomosti. In his actions, Derzhavin was always distinguished by a certain independence, which placed him high in the eyes of some of his superiors, but at the same time made him enemies among the local authorities. Derzhavin had little regard for the position and connections of the people with whom he dealt. In the end, the war with Pugachev did not bring any external differences to Gavriil Romanovich and he was almost subjected to a military court.

Portrait of Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin. Artist V. Borovikovsky, 1811

In 1776 through A. A. Bezborodko he submitted a letter to the empress calculating his merits and asking for a reward. By decree of February 15, 1777, Gabriel Romanovich was granted the status of collegiate adviser and at the same time received 300 souls in Belarus. On this occasion, Derzhavin wrote “Outpouring of a Grateful Heart to Empress Catherine II.” Six months after his resignation, Derzhavin, thanks to his acquaintance with Prosecutor General A. A. Vyazemsky, received the position of executor in the Senate. In 1778 Derzhavin married Katerina Yakovlevna Bastidon. The marriage was successful; His wife’s aesthetic sense did not remain without influence on the work of Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin. In 1780 Derzhavin was transferred to the position of adviser to the newly established expedition of state revenues and expenses. By order of Vyazemsky, Derzhavin wrote a code for this institution, published in the complete Collection of Zap. (XXI, 15 – 120). Disagreements with Vyazemsky forced Derzhavin to leave his service in the Senate and retire (1784) with the rank of full state councilor.

By this time, Derzhavin had already acquired a glorious literary name in society. Gavriil Romanovich peed while still in the gymnasium; in the barracks he read Kleist, Gagedorn, Klopstock, Haller, Gellert and translated “Messiad” in verse. The first original work, which appeared in print in 1773, was an ode to the first marriage of Grand Duke Pavel Petrovich. Upon returning from the Volga region, Derzhavin published “Odes translated and composed at Mount Chitalagai.” In addition to translations, there were odes to the death of Bibikov, to the nobles, to the birthday of Her Majesty, etc. Derzhavin’s first works were an imitation of Lomonosov. But Derzhavin in his work completely failed to achieve the soaring and unnatural manner that distinguishes Lomonosov’s poetry. Thanks for the advice P. A. Lvova, V.V. Kapnist and I.I. Khemnitser, Gavriil Romanovich abandoned imitation of Lomonosov and took Horace’s ode as a model. “Since 1779,” writes Derzhavin, “I have chosen a completely special path, guided by the instructions and advice of my friends.” Derzhavin placed his odes mainly in the “St. Petersburg Bulletin” without a signature: “Songs to Peter the Great” (1778), epistole to Shuvalov, “On the death of Prince Meshchersky”, “The Key”, “On the birth of a porphyry-born youth” (1779), “On absence of the empress to Belarus”, “To the first neighbor”, “To rulers and judges” (1780).

All these works, with their sublime tone and brilliant, lively pictures, attracted the attention of literature lovers, but not society, to Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin. In the latter, Derzhavin’s fame was created by the famous “Ode to Felice” (see full text, summary and analysis), published in the first book of the “Interlocutor of Lovers of the Russian Word” (1783). Derzhavin received for it a snuff-box, studded with diamonds, containing 50 chervonets. “Felitsa” placed Derzhavin high in the opinion of Catherine II, the court and the public. In “Interlocutor” Derzhavin published “Gratitude to Felitsa”, “Vision of Murza”, “Reshemysl” and, finally, “God” (see summary and full text). With his last poem, Derzhavin reached the apogee of his fame. At the very establishment of the Russian Academy, Derzhavin was elected its member and took part in the dictionary of the Russian language.

In 1784, Derzhavin was appointed ruler of the Olonets governorship, but Derzhavin immediately began to have troubles with the governor Tutolmin, and after a year and a half the poet was transferred to the same position in the Tambov governorship. Gavriil Romanovich occupied the place of Tambov governor for about 3 years. With his energetic activities, Derzhavin brought benefits to the province, introduced more regularity in the administration of conscription, improved the structure of prisons, and fixed roads and bridges. But even here, Derzhavin’s independent course of action, his temper, caused arguments with the governor. In 1788, Derzhavin was put on trial and was obliged to sign a written undertaking not to leave Moscow, where the case was to be carried out. In 1789, the Moscow Senate, having examined Derzhavin’s case, found that he was not guilty of any abuse of office. Seeing the merciful attitude of the Empress, who approved the decision of the Senate, Derzhavin wrote the ode “Image of Felitsa”, and, turning to the patronage of the new favorite Platon Zubov, dedicated the odes “On Moderation” and “To the Lyre” to him. The ode “To the Capture of Ishmael,” written at the same time, was a great success. Gabriel Romanovich received a snuff box worth 200 rubles. When Potemkin arrived in St. Petersburg, Derzhavin had to maneuver between two favorites. The death of Potemkin on the banks of the Prut gave rise to one of the most original and majestic poems in Derzhavin’s work - “Waterfall”. Derzhavin's rapprochement with Dmitriev and Karamzin dates back to this time; the latter invited him to participate in his Moscow Journal. Here Derzhavin placed “Song to a House That Loves Science” (Count Stroganov), “On the Death of Countess Rumyantseva”, “The Majesty of God”, “Monument to a Hero”.

In 1796 Derzhavin was ordered to be with the empress when accepting petitions. Gabriel Romanovich failed to please her: in life he could not flatter as subtly as in his poetic work, he was irritable and did not know how to stop reports that were unpleasant to Catherine II in time. In 1793, Derzhavin was appointed senator for the land survey department, and a few months later he was also given the post of president of the commercial board. In his senatorial activities, Derzhavin was distinguished by his extreme intransigence to those opinions that he considered incorrect. And since his love of truth was always expressed in a sharp and rude form, here too Derzhavin had many official disappointments. In 1794, Gabriel Romanovich's wife died; He dedicated the elegiac poem “Swallows” to her memory. Six months later, Derzhavin entered into a new marriage with D. A. Dyakova. In 1794, Derzhavin wrote the ode “On Nobility,” dedicated to the praise of Rumyantsev, and “On the Capture of Izmail.” His last odes during the life of Catherine II were: “On the birth of Queen Gremislava” (message to Naryshkin), “To the Knight of Athens” (Alexey Orlov), “Ode on the conquest of Derbent” (in honor of Valerian Zubov), “On the death of a benefactor” ( I. I. Betsky). Finally, Derzhavin presented Catherine II with a handwritten collection of his works, prefacing it with “An Offering to the Monarch.” Even before the death of the Empress, Derzhavin wrote “Monument” (see summary and full text), in which he summarized the meaning of his poetic work. The era of Catherine II marks the heyday of Derzhavin’s talent and its main significance in the poems of this era. Derzhavin's poetry is a monument to the reign of Catherine II. “In this heroic age of Russian history, events and people, with their gigantic dimensions, precisely corresponded to the courage of this original fantasy, the scope of this broad and capricious brush.” A whole epic of the era lives in the works of Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin.

Derzhavin's creative activity diminished. In addition to epigrams and fables, Gabriel Romanovich began to write tragedies. He himself was confident in their merit, but in fact, Derzhavin’s dramatic works are below criticism. (Dobrynya, Pozharsky, Herod and Mariamne, Atabalibo, etc.). The Discourse on Lyric Poetry read in “Conversation” dates back to 1815. Derzhavin already considered it necessary to comment on his works and himself made “explanations” for them. Feeling the need to find out the real nature of his biography and career, so rich in vicissitudes, Derzhavin wrote Notes in 1812, published in Russian Conversation; they caused an unfavorable impression with their subjective assessment of persons and events. In this last period of his life, following the spirit of his time, Derzhavin tried to give a place to the folk language in his work. The awakening of the study of Russian nationality gave rise to Derzhavin's imaginary folk ballads and romances (Tsar Maiden, Novgorod Wolf Zlogor). The most successful of these poems was “To the Ataman and the Don Army.” Even in retirement, Derzhavin did not cease to respond to the events taking place around him (On the World of 1807, Lamentation, Lyroepic Hymn to Drive Out the French, etc.). Being retired, Derzhavin lived in St. Petersburg in the winters and in the summers on his estate in Novgorod province. "Zvanke". Gabriel Romanovich described his village life in a poetic message to Evgeny Bolkhovitinov. Derzhavin died in Zvanka on July 8, 1816.

In the 19th century, Derzhavin’s creative style seemed already outdated. Aesthetically, Gabriel Romanovich’s poems amaze with their amazing chaotic nature: amid the rhetorical pathos, we also discover the brilliance of real poetic talent. In the same way, Derzhavin’s language, rich in folk speech, achieves extraordinary smoothness and lightness in some poems, but in others it becomes unrecognizable in its heaviness. From a historical and literary point of view, the ode of Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin is important because it introduced elements of simplicity, humor and vitality into the strained and far-from-life Lomonosov ode. His work reflected his clear satirical mind, his ardent disposition, common sense, alien to any morbid sentimentality and cold abstraction.

Critics' views on Derzhavin changed. After the reverence with which his name was surrounded, came a period of denial of any meaning behind it. Only the works of D. Grot, written before the revolution, on the publication of the works and biography of the poet, made it possible to impartially evaluate his work.

Gabriel Derzhavin is an outstanding Russian poet, playwright, prose writer and statesman. He was a true patriot of his Motherland, which he often extolled in his works.

His work had a great influence on the further development of Russian literature, which was recognized by all subsequent writers.

Biography of Derzhavin is somewhat different from classical writers, and is somewhat reminiscent of another great poet and diplomat -.

So, here is the biography of Gabriel Derzhavin ().

Childhood and youth

Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin was born on July 3, 1743 in the village of Sokury, Kazan province. He grew up in a large family with a very modest income.

His father, Roman Nikolaevich, served as a second major. He died at an early age, so Gabriel barely remembered him.

In this regard, the mother, Fekla Andreevna, had to work hard to feed her children.

Education

The first educational institution in Derzhavin’s biography was the Orenburg school, after which he continued to study at the Kazan gymnasium.

Gabriel began to be interested in poetry from a young age. Most of all he liked the work of Trediakovsky and Sumarokov.

Remembering by heart many of the poems of these poets, he begins to compose poems himself. And this is immediately easy for him.

Army service

In 1762, Gabriel Derzhavin served as an ordinary guardsman in the Preobrazhensky Regiment.

It is interesting that in the future the regiment will take an active part in the coup d'etat, as a result of which it will come to power.

Military service did not bring any pleasure to the future poet, since he did not have free time to write works.

In addition, Derzhavin became addicted to playing cards.

To beat his opponents, he had to cheat. It is worth noting that because of this he experienced serious remorse.

When, over time, he manages to leave this severe dependence, Derzhavin will thank God for this.

Second marriage

In 1794, a tragedy occurred in Derzhavin’s biography. His wife Ekaterina, with whom he lived for 19 years, died.

A year later, the poet married Daria Dyakova. He also had no children in this marriage. As a result, the couple raised the children of their family friend, Peter Lazarev.

An interesting fact is that one of these children, Mikhail, in the future became a famous admiral, scientist, governor and discoverer of the Arctic.

Career peak

During the reign of Paul 1, Derzhavin served as president of the Commerce College and state treasurer.

When he became the next emperor, the poet found himself in the position of Minister of Justice. It is worth noting that in both the first and second cases he managed to cope with his duties perfectly.

In 1803, another important event occurred in Derzhavin’s biography. He decided to end his government activities and devote himself entirely to literature.

Derzhavin's creativity

Shortly before his resignation, Gabriel Derzhavin lived for a long time on the estate that belonged to his second wife. There he wrote more than 60 poems and published the first volume of his works.

It is interesting that in addition to unusually deep and philosophical poems, Derzhavin wrote several plays.

It is important to note that Derzhavin’s work was admired by Derzhavin, who first met him at a lyceum exam. Then Gavriil Romanovich was among the commission members.

The very young Pushkin made a wonderful impression on him. Derzhavin even wanted to hug the unusually gifted applicant, but he hastily left the room where the exam was taking place, as he was unable to hold back his tears.

Death

Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin died on July 20, 1816 at the age of 73. He was buried in the Transfiguration Cathedral.

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Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin, whose biography is presented below, is a poet, translator, playwright and... governor. The years of his life are 1743-1816. After reading this article, you will learn about all these aspects of the activities of such a multi-talented person as Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin. His biography will be supplemented with many other interesting facts.

Origin

Gabriel Romanovich was born near Kazan in 1743. Here, in the village of Karmachi, was the family estate of his family. The future poet spent his childhood there. The family of Derzhavin Gabriel Romanovich was not rich, a noble family. Gabriel Romanovich lost his father early, Roman Nikolaevich, who served as a major. His mother was Fekla Andreevna (maiden name - Kozlova). Interestingly, Derzhavin is a descendant of Bagrim, a Tatar Murza who moved out of the Great Horde in the 15th century.

Study at the gymnasium, service in the regiment

In 1757, Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin entered the Kazan gymnasium. His biography already at this time was marked by diligence and desire for knowledge. He studied well, but failed to complete his studies. The fact is that in February 1762 the future poet was summoned to St. Petersburg. He was assigned to Derzhavin and began serving as an ordinary soldier. He spent 10 years in his regiment, and from 1772 served as an officer. It is known that Derzhavin in 1773-74. took part in the suppression and also in the palace coup, as a result of which Catherine II ascended the throne.

Public and literary fame

Gabriel Romanovich came to public and literary fame in 1782. It was then that his famous ode “Felitsa” appeared, praising the empress. Derzhavin, hot-tempered by nature, often had difficulties in life due to his intemperance. In addition, he had an impatience and zeal for work, which was not always welcomed.

Derzhavin becomes governor of Olonets province

By decree of the empress, the Olonets province was created in 1773. It consisted of one district and two counties. In 1776, the Novgorod governorate was formed, which included two regions - Olonets and Novgorod. Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin became the first governor of Olonets. His biography for many years will be associated with administrative activities in this responsible position. She was legally entrusted with a very wide range of responsibilities. Gabriel Romanovich had to observe how the laws were implemented and how other officials behaved. For Derzhavin, however, this did not present any great difficulties. He believed that restoring order in court and local government depended only on everyone’s conscientious attitude to their work and compliance with the law by officials.

Subordinate institutions already a month after the founding of the province were aware that all persons in the service of the state who violated the law would be severely punished, including deprivation of rank or place. Derzhavin Gabriel Romanovich steadily tried to restore order in his province. The years of his life at this time were marked. However, this only led to conflicts and disagreements with the elite.

Governorship in Tambov province

In December 1785, Catherine II issued a decree appointing Derzhavin to the post of governor of the now Tambov province. He arrived there in 1786.

In Tambov, Gabriel Romanovich found the province in complete disorder. Four chapters have changed in the 6 years of its existence. There was chaos in affairs, the boundaries of the province were not defined. Arrears have reached enormous proportions. There was an acute lack of education in society as a whole, and in particular among the nobility.

Gabriel Romanovich opened arithmetic, grammar, geometry, vocal and dance classes for youth. The theological seminary and garrison school provided very poor knowledge. Gabriel Derzhavin decided to open a public school in the house of Jonah Borodin, a local merchant. Theatrical performances were given in the governor's house, and soon a theater began to be built. Derzhavin did a lot for the Tambov province, we will not list it all. His activities laid the foundation for the development of this region.

Senators Naryshkin and Vorontsov came to audit cases in the Tambov province. The improvement was so obvious that in September 1787 Derzhavin was awarded an honorary award - the Order of Vladimir, third degree.

How Derzhavin was removed from office

However, the progressive activities of Gabriel Romanovich in this post collided with the interests of local nobles and landowners. In addition, I.V. Gudovich, the governor-general, took the side of those close to him in all conflicts, who, in turn, covered up local swindlers and thieves.

Derzhavin attempted to punish Dulov, the landowner who ordered the shepherd boy to be beaten for a minor offense. However, this attempt failed, and hostility towards the governor on the part of the provincial landowners grew stronger. The actions of Gabriel Romanovich to stop the theft of the local merchant Borodin, who deceived the treasury by supplying bricks for construction, and then received a wine payoff on unfavorable terms for the state, also turned out to be futile.

The flow of slander, complaints, and reports against Derzhavin increased. In January 1789 he was removed from his post. His short activity brought great benefit to the province.

Return to the capital, administrative activities

In the same year, Derzhavin returned to the capital. He held various administrative positions here. At the same time, Gabriel Romanovich continued to engage in literature, creating odes (we will tell you more about his work a little later).

Derzhavin was appointed state treasurer under Paul I. However, he did not get along with this ruler, because, according to the habit that had formed in him, Gabriel Romanovich often cursed and was rude in his reports. Alexander I, who replaced Paul, also did not ignore Derzhavin, making him Minister of Justice. However, a year later the poet was relieved of his post because he served “too zealously.” In 1809, Gabriel Romanovich was finally removed from all administrative posts.

Derzhavin's creativity

Russian poetry before Gabriel Romanovich was quite conventional. Derzhavin greatly expanded its themes. Now a variety of works have appeared in poetry, from a solemn ode to a simple song. Also, for the first time in Russian lyric poetry, the image of the author, that is, the personality of the poet himself, arose. Derzhavin believed that art must be based on high truth. Only a poet can explain it. At the same time, art can be an imitation of nature only when it is possible to come closer to comprehending the world, to correcting the morals of people and to studying them. Derzhavin is considered a continuator of the traditions of Sumarokov and Lomonosov. He developed the traditions of Russian classicism in his work.

The purpose of the poet for Derzhavin is to censure bad deeds and glorify the great. For example, in the ode "Felitsa" Gabriel Romanovich glorifies the enlightened monarchy in the person of Catherine II. The fair, intelligent empress is contrasted in this work with the selfish and greedy court nobles.

Derzhavin looked at his talent and his poetry as a weapon given to the poet from above to win political battles. Gabriel Romanovich even compiled a “key” to his works - a detailed commentary that says what events led to the appearance of one or another of them.

The Zvanka estate and the first volume of works

Derzhavin bought the Zvanka estate in 1797 and spent several months there every year. The very next year, the first volume of Gabriel Romanovich’s works appeared. It included poems that immortalized his name: “On the death of Prince Meshchersky,” “On the birth of a porphyry-born youth,” odes “On God,” “Waterfall,” “Nobleman,” “Bullfinch.”

Derzhavin's dramaturgy, participation in a literary circle

After retiring, he devoted his life almost entirely to dramaturgy Derzhavin Gavriil Romanovich. His work in this direction is associated with the creation of several librettos of operas, as well as the following tragedies: “Dark”, “Eupraxia”, “Herod and Mariamne”. Since 1807, the poet took an active part in the activities of the literary circle, from which a society was later formed that gained great fame. It was called "Conversation of lovers of the Russian word." In his work “Discourse on Lyric Poetry or Ode,” Derzhavin Gavriil Romanovich summarized his literary experience. His work greatly influenced the development of artistic literature in our country. Many poets were guided by him.

The death of Derzhavin and the fate of his remains

So, we told you about such a great man as Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin. Biography, interesting facts about him, creative heritage - all this was covered in this article. All that remains to be told is the death of Derzhavin and the further fate of his remains, which was not easy. Only after this can we consider that a complete biography of Derzhavin Gabriel Romanovich, albeit briefly presented, was presented.

Derzhavin died on his Zvanka estate in 1816. The coffin with his body was sent along the Volkhov on a barge. The poet found his final refuge in the Transfiguration Cathedral near Veliky Novgorod. This cathedral was located on the territory of the Varlaamo-Khutyn Monastery. The wife of Derzhavin Gabriel Romanovich, Daria Alekseevna, was also buried here.

The monastery was destroyed during the Great Patriotic War. Derzhavin's grave was also damaged. The reburial of the remains of Gavriila Romanovich and Daria Alekseevna took place in 1959. They were moved to Novgorod Detinets. In connection with the 250th anniversary of Derzhavin in 1993, the poet’s remains were returned to the Varlaamo-Khutyn Monastery.

It is no coincidence that to this day such a poet as Derzhavin Gabriel Romanovich is taught in schools. His biography and work are important not only from an artistic, but also from an educational point of view. After all, the truths that Derzhavin preached are eternal.

Born on July 14, 1743 in the village of Sokury, Kazan province. Father - Roman Nikolaevich Derzhavin, military man. Mother - Fyokla Andreevna Kozlova. From 1762 he served as an ordinary guardsman in the Preobrazhensky Regiment. In 1773-1775 he participated in the suppression of the uprising of Emelyan Pugachev. In 1777 he retired. In 1778 he married Catherine Bastidon. In 1791-1793 - cabinet secretary of Catherine II. In 1794, after the death of his first wife, he married Daria Dyakova. In 1802-1803 - Minister of Justice of the Russian Empire. In 1803 he was dismissed. The writer had no children. He died on July 20, 1816 at the age of 73 on the Zvanka estate, Novgorod province. He was buried in the Transfiguration Cathedral of the Varlaamo-Khutyn Monastery (not far from Veliky Novgorod). Main works: “Snigir”, “God”, “Felitsa”, “Monument”, “Waterfall” and others.

Brief biography (details)

Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin is a Russian poet and playwright of the Enlightenment. He was also a statesman, senator and privy councilor. The writer was born on July 14, 1743 in the Kazan province into an impoverished noble family. He spent his childhood on a family estate in the village of Sokury near Kazan. In 1759 he was sent to study at one of the Kazan gymnasiums. For his success in the field of geometry, he was enrolled in the Engineering Corps in St. Petersburg. However, by accident, in 1762, he was forced to serve as a soldier in the Preobrazhensky Regiment. He did not have much success in his new field. Only in 1772 was he promoted to ensign, and in 1777 he was dismissed.

After resigning under the patronage of Vyazemsky, the writer entered service in the Senate. A year later he married 16-year-old Ekaterina Bastadion. Derzhavin's first serious works date back to this period, although he began writing in high school. Wide popularity came in 1783 with the appearance of the ode “Felitsa”. In his works the writer tried to adhere to classicism. Later the works “God”, “Nobleman”, “Autumn during the Siege of Ochakov”, “Waterfall” and others appeared. Derzhavin was the first in Russian literature to use the technique of “figurative sound recording,” that is, the creation of certain artistic images when listening or reading a work.

After stunning success in the literary field, the writer’s civil career quickly took off. He was appointed governor of the Olonets province, then Tambov. In 1791 he was secretary and later privy adviser to Empress Catherine II. From 1802 to 1803 he was appointed Minister of Justice of the country. In October 1803, he was relieved of all government posts and sent into retirement. In the last years of his life, the writer lived on his estate in the Novgorod province and was engaged in literary activities. The poet died on July 20, 1816.

Date of birth: July 14, 1743
Date of death: July 20, 1816
Place of birth: Sokury village, Kazan province

Derzhavin Gabriel Romanovich- outstanding Russian poet and politician, Derzhavin G.R.– born on the third of July 1743. His work personifies the peak of Russian classicism. During his lifetime, he managed to be the governor of the Tambov province, the ruler of the Olonets governorate, the personal secretary under Catherine II, the minister of justice, the president of the Commerce Collegium and an honorary member of the Russian Academy (from its founding).

Gabriel was born in a small village in the Kazan province. His father, Roman, was not a very rich nobleman and had the honorary rank of major. According to family legends, the Derzhavin family descended from the Tatar Murza Bagrim. He left the Golden Horde in the 15th century and went into the service of the prince (during the reign of Vasily the Dark). The prince had Murza baptized and named Ilya. One of Ilya’s sons was named Dmitry, and he, in turn, had a son, Derzhava. This is how the Derzhavin family came about. Gabriel lost his father at an early age. He was raised by his mother, Thekla.

Derzhavin initially learned to read and write at home. Churchmen taught him. At the age of seven, living in Orenburg, the father sends his son to the boarding school of the German Rose, who was not reputed to have a particularly good education or culture. However, after four years spent there, Derzhavin began to speak German satisfactorily. A little later, Gabriel studied at the Kazan gymnasium (in 1759-1762). Then he goes off to serve.

From 1762 he experienced all the hardships of military service. Derzhavin started with the Preobrazhensky Regiment. He was lucky in terms of participation in the most important historical events, but unlucky as a young warrior. From the very beginning of your service you have to participate in the most important event - a coup d'etat. The result was the ascension of Catherine II to the throne. Ten years later, he is elevated to the rank of officer, and again he immediately has to take an active part in pacifying the Pugachev uprising.

Gabriel published his first poems in 1773 (at that time he was already thirty years old). In his works he tries to inherit Sumarkov and Lomonosov, but since 1779 he understands that it is worth developing his own way of writing. He becomes the founder of a new, original poetic style, which over the years turns into an example of Russian philosophical lyrics. In 1778, he married E. Ya. Bastidon, whom he called Plenira at home.

Excessive vanity lived in Derzhavin’s soul, which is why he was constantly sure that the empress underestimated him as a military man. It is for this reason that Gabriel leaves his military position and devotes himself entirely to civilian service.

The beginning of his service was in the Senate, in which he was unable to get a job due to his increased desire for the truth.

In 1782, he wrote the now famous “Ode to Felice,” in which, under a light veil, he addressed himself directly to the Empress. In turn, Catherine II liked his work, and she appointed Derzhavin governor of Olonets, and after some time - governor of Tambov.

It should be noted that Derzhavin fought in every possible way against the bureaucracy, defended the interests of the local people, and also made every effort to turn these lands into some of the most enlightened in Russia.

Unfortunately, the energy, directness and sense of increased justice of the politician often played a cruel joke on him. He was disliked by his superior nobles, and his positions in the civil service often changed.

In 1791-1793 - becomes a personal cabinet secretary under Empress Catherine II herself, however, even here he could not get along with her politics, which is why he was immediately removed. In the summer of 1794, his wife died, and a year later he married D. A. Dyakova, whom he prefers to call Milena in the home circle.

In 1802-1803 - Minister of Justice, but at the age of sixty (1803) decides to resign.

When Derzhavin retired from government affairs, he completely devoted himself to creativity. He was also hospitable to various writers in St. Petersburg. A little later, he decided to settle in St. Petersburg, but at the same time he visited the Zvanka estate, which is in the Novgorod province. In 1811 he became an honorary member of the literary community “Conversation of Lovers of the Russian Word”. One of the most active poets in the local environment.

Derzhavin died in July 1816 in the village of Zvanki. He was buried next to his second wife Daria in the Transfiguration Cathedral (Varlaamo-Khutynsky Monastery), located near Veliky Novgorod.

During the Great Patriotic War, this monastery was subject to serious artillery shelling. In 1959, a decision was made to rebury Derzhavin and his wife in Novgorod Detinets. When the restoration of the cathedral was completed in 1993, their remains were returned again on the anniversary (250th anniversary of Derzhavin).

Achievements of Gabriel Derzhavin:

The work of Gabriel Derzhavin became a wonderful basis for the poetry of Pushkin, Batyushkov and the Decembrist poets.
He is the founder of Russian classicism.

Dates from the biography of Gabriel Derzhavin:

1743 – birth.
1759-1762 – Kazan gymnasium.
1762 – serves in the Preobrazhensky Regiment.
1772 - receives an officer rank.
1778 – marries Catherine Bastidon.
1782 - “Ode to Felitsa”, dedicated to Catherine II.
1784 - an ode of a philosophical bent, “God,” is published.
1784-1785 - Olonets governor.
1786-1788 - Governor of the Tambov province.
1788 – writes “Autumn during the siege of Ochakov.”
1791 - the unofficial anthem of Russia comes from the pen of Derzhavin: “The thunder of victory, ring out!”
1791-1793 - Cabinet Secretary under Catherine II.
1791-1794 – writes “Waterfall”
1794 - headed the Commerce Collegium. Death of the first wife. Poems "Nobleman".
1795 – second wife, Daria Dyakova.
1799 - another philosophical ode “On the death of Prince Meshchersky.”
1800 - the poem “Bullfinch”, which was written in memory of the deceased Suvorov.
1802-1803 - Minister of Justice.
1803 - resigns.
1811 – enters the lit. Society "Conversation of lovers of the Russian word."
181101815 – working on “Discourse on lyric poetry or ode” (treatise).
1816 - death.

Interesting facts of Gabriel Derzhavin:

Derzhavin was a connoisseur of erotica. He loved to write erotic prose. An example is the “Aristippus Bath”. He gave it a special softness, excluding, if possible, the hard letter “r”. He was pleased when such works were read out to the ladies in his presence.
The image of Derzhavin is immortalized in numerous monuments: St. Petersburg, Kazan, Tambov, Petrozavodsk. In Tambov there is Derzhavinskaya Street, the local state university also bears his name, and even a crater on the planet Mercury was named in his honor.
During his life, Derzhavin managed to experience both need and wealth. The story tells that one day, left with the last 50 rubles in his pocket, Gabriel decided to play cards, although he had never played before. At the end of the evening, Derzhavin leaves with 8,000 rubles. Later, he even won 40,000 in a short time, which he spent on urgent debts. However, like any wise man, he stopped in time.
In 1815, the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum in full force awaited the arrival of the famous Derzhavin. Everyone was dumbfounded when the first thing the important guest did was ask where their outhouse was located.