ALEXANDER PUSHKIN

Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin (b. 1799) - poet, dramatist and revolutionary spirit, descendant of Hannibal (onetime boy slave, later favourite of Peter the Great and a General in the imperial army of the Empress Elizabeth) - died in a duel over his wife's honour in 1837. His life was short but prolific and he is justly recognized as the father of modern Russian literature. However, not all of his writings found favour with the authorities.

The working notebooks were Pushkin's constant companions throughout his life. During his periods of exile he carried all or most of them with him. Often without permanent residence, he was afraid to leave them to the mercy of fate and was unwilling to be separated from them.