Nikolay Nekrasov
Russian poet whose verse championed the peasantry.
His deeply compassionate poems about the Russian peasantry made him a hero of liberal and radical circles in the Russian intelligentsia of the mid-nineteenth century, particularly as represented by Vissarion Belinsky and Nikolay Chernyshevsky. He is credited with introducing ternary meters and the technique of dramatic monologue to Russian poetry, and as editor of several literary journals, notably Sovremennik, he was singularly successful and influential.
- born
- 10 December [O.S. 28 November] 1821
- field
- Poetry, criticism, publishing
- nationality
- Russian
- known_for
- Compassionate poems about the Russian peasantry; introducing ternary meters and
Lore & Background
His father's drunken rages against peasants and his wife traumatized Nikolai and later determined the subject matter of his major poems portraying the plight of Russian peasants and women. Nekrasov's mother loved literature and imparted this passion to her son.
Reader's Guide
Nekrasov's significance lies in his role as a poet who gave voice to the suffering of the Russian peasantry, aligning him with the liberal and radical intelligentsia of his time. His technical innovations—introducing ternary meters and the dramatic monologue—expanded the formal possibilities of Russian poetry. As editor of Sovremennik, he exerted considerable influence on literary culture. Nekrasov's legacy is tied to his compassionate verse and his editorial work, which helped launch authors like Fyodor Dostoyevsky. The poet's life was marked by early hardship in Saint Petersburg after his father cut off support, and by a lasting devotion to his mother's memory, though biographers note uncertainty about her identity. His work remains a touchstone for Russian social poetry.
Did You Know?
- Nekrasov's early collection Dreams and Sounds (1840) was dismissed by critic Vissarion Belinsky.
- As editor of Sovremennik, Nekrasov helped launch authors like Fyodor Dostoyevsky.
- Nekrasov's father's drunken rages against peasants and his wife traumatized young Nikolai and shaped his major poems about the plight of peasants and women.
- There is uncertainty about Nekrasov's mother's origins: church records give her name as Yelena Andreyevna, while other sources name her Alexandra Zakrzewska.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Nikolay Nekrasov?
Nikolay Alexeyevich Nekrasov (1821–1878) was a Russian poet, literary critic, and publisher best remembered for his emotionally charged verses depicting the lives and hardships of the Russian peasantry.
What did Nikolay Nekrasov contribute to Russian poetic form?
He is widely credited with bringing ternary meters and the dramatic monologue technique into the Russian poetic tradition, broadening the rhythmic and structural options available to his contemporaries.
What was Nikolay Nekrasov's role in literary journalism?
Serving as editor of influential journals, most notably Sovremennik, he helped steer the direction of mid-nineteenth-century Russian literary and political discourse.
Why is Nikolay Nekrasov significant in Russian intellectual history?
His unwavering empathy for peasant suffering earned him the admiration of major critics such as Belinsky and Chernyshevsky, making him a symbolic figurehead for liberal and radical segments of the intelligentsia.
When was Nikolay Nekrasov born and when did he die?
He was born on 10 December 1821 (28 November Old Style) and passed away on 8 January 1878 (27 December Old Style), living just over fifty-six years.
More in Poets And Lyricists 1-24
Elsewhere in the Poets And Lyricists universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record