Biography of Gabriel Romanovich. Rise of creative and state career

Gavriil 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 has provided big influence on the further development Russian literature, which was recognized by all subsequent writers.

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

So, before you is the biography of Gabriel Derzhavin.

Childhood and youth

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

His father, Roman Nikolaevich, served as a second major. He died in early age, so Gabriel almost did not remember him.

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

Education

First educational institution in Derzhavin's biography there was an Orenburg school, after which he continued to study at the Kazan gymnasium.

Gabriel began to be interested in poetry with young years. 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 it comes easily to him.

Army service

In 1762, Gavriil Derzhavin served as an ordinary guard in the Preobrazhensky Regiment.

Derzhavin in his youth

It is interesting that in the future the regiment will take Active participation in a coup d'état, as a result of which he will come to power.

Army 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 rivals, he had to engage in cheating. It is worth noting that because of this, he experienced serious remorse.

When, over time, he manages to leave this heavy addiction, Derzhavin will thank God for this.

Second marriage

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

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, Pyotr Lazarev.

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

Career Peak

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

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

In 1803 another important event took place in Derzhavin's biography. He decided to complete state activity and devote himself entirely to literature.

Creativity Derzhavin

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

Interestingly, in addition to unusually deep and philosophical poems, Derzhavin wrote several plays.

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

The still young Pushkin made a wonderful impression on him. Derzhavin even wanted to hug the unusually gifted entrant, but he hurriedly left the room where the exam was being held, as he was unable to hold back his tears.

Death

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

If you liked Derzhavin's biography, share it in social networks. If you generally like the biographies of great people - subscribe to the site website. It's always interesting with us!

Liked the post? Press any button.


Brief biography of the poet, the main facts of life and work:

GAVRILA ROMANOVICH DERZHAVIN (1743-1816)

Gavrila Romanovich Derzhavin was born on July 3 (July 14, according to the new style), 1743, in the village of Karmachi, Kazan province, into a poor noble family. His father, Roman Nikolaevich Derzhavin, was an officer in small ranks, although he entered the army as a private under Peter I. He married his distant relative and neighbor on the estate, the childless widow Fekla Andreevna Gorina (nee Kozlova).

Gavrila was the firstborn, he was born prematurely. They saved him from death in a barbaric old-fashioned way: they smeared him with rye dough, put him in a warm oven and kept him like that for several days until the child became strong.

When Gavryusha was one year old, a huge bright comet appeared in the sky. The adults were horrified. Suddenly, the little one pointed with his finger at the flying ball and said his first word:

At the age of seven, Gavrila was assigned to the boarding school of the German Rose, “exiled for hard labor”. Although the German was a complete ignoramus, during the four years spent in his boarding house, the boy learned to read and write and the German language.

In 1754, retired colonel Roman Nikolaevich died. A widow with three children was left in great poverty. She did not even have 15 rubles to pay the debts of the deceased. Moreover, taking advantage of the helplessness of the orphaned family, the neighbors took away from them part of the lands that belonged to Derzhavins. Fekla Andreevna stood idle in vain, together with her young sons, in the front of the clerks, seeking justice. Everything turned out to be fruitless. From that time on, Derzhavin began to be distinguished by a heightened sense of justice, especially in relation to the weak.

And yet, the mother managed to enroll her sons in the gymnasium that had just opened in Kazan. Gavrila showed such great abilities in his studies that the director of the gymnasium M. I. Verevkin, being in St. Petersburg with a report from Count Ivan Ivanovich Shuvalov, a favorite of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, found it possible to talk about him, and the count immediately ordered to record the undersized conductor of the Engineering Corps.


But contrary to Shuvalov's order, Derzhavin was enrolled as a private in the Preobrazhensky Guards Regiment, and in 1762 he was demanded to St. Petersburg to his place of service. About the army years, the poet later wrote: “In this academy of needs and patience, I learned and educated myself.”

Three months after the start of his service in St. Petersburg, a coup d'etat took place - Emperor Peter III was overthrown and killed, Empress Catherine II ascended the throne. The Preobrazhensky took an active part in this.

Gavrila Romanovich remained in the soldiers for ten years. What just did not happen to him to survive in these years. Once he almost froze to death, standing in a severe cold and snowstorm on guard in the field behind the palace. Another time, sent at night with an order, he fell into huge snowdrifts on Presnya and was almost torn to pieces by dogs.

But every night before going to bed, he always read books and wrote "poetry without any rules." At the request of the soldiers' wives, Derzhavin composed letters for them to the village, trying to write them as simply as possible - in the "peasant taste".

Beggar nobleman long time went around for work. Only in 1772 he achieved promotion to non-commissioned officers and moved to the barracks of the nobility. But this medal also had a downside. New comrades in the noble barracks gradually drew the poet into a circle of very scattered existence, and Derzhavin became addicted to card game. In the end, a criminal case was initiated against him, which, according to the judicial customs of that time, lasted for twelve whole years and did not end with anything.

And in 1773, the uprising of Yemelyan Pugachev began. The staunch monarchist Derzhavin secured his secondment to the commander-in-chief of the government forces, General Bibikov. All three years, until the uprising was finally crushed, Gavrila Romanovich was in the army. Twice he almost got captured by Pugachev.

The combat situation was not conducive to poetry classes. However, as soon as the slightest opportunity presented itself to Derzhavin, he again turned to creativity. In 1774, during a break between hostilities, the poet wrote four odes and later published them as a separate book.

The straightforward character of Gavrila Romanovich caused strong dissatisfaction among the top authorities. Unexpectedly, he was dismissed. Derzhavin did not want this, he protested, but was forced to accept it. Once in the civil service, the poet began to look for a powerful patron. Such was the most influential nobleman of Catherine's reign, Prosecutor General Prince A. A. Vyazemsky. With his help, the poet received a lucrative position in the Senate, but very soon came to the conclusion that "he cannot get along where they do not like the truth."

In 1778, Gavrila Romanovich married eighteen-year-old Ekaterina Yakovlevna Bastidon (1760-1794) - Plenira, as he began to call her in his poems.

Around the same time, Derzhavin joined a friendly circle of talented writers. He especially became close to N. A. Lvov and V. V. Kapnist. Later, their friendship was consolidated by family relations - Kapnist, Lvov and Derzhavin (by their second marriage) married three Dyakov sisters.

In 1780, Derzhavin first turned to spiritual poetry. He transcribed the 81st psalm, which later became known as an ode to "Lords and Judges." Some literary scholars call it an ode to "truly thunderous power."

And in 1782, the famous “Ode to Felitsa” appeared, which was addressed to the Empress. Catherine II was delighted with this work and in gratitude appointed Derzhavin governor of Olonets (from 1784), and then Tambov (from 1785 to 1788).

During your stay in Olonets province Gavrila Romanovich created his greatest work - the ode "God". The words about the place and purpose of man in this world: “I am a king, I am a slave, I am a worm, I am God” shocked all of Europe! The ode was immediately translated into most European languages and became outstanding event literature of the late 18th century.

But let us return to the activities of Governor Derzhavin. In the provinces entrusted to him, Gavrila Romanovich deployed bustling activity, in particular, in Tambov, he opened a theater, a people's home, an orphanage, a school in own house, tried to fight the bureaucracy, to uphold justice. This confused the Petersburg authorities. In the end, Derzhavin was recalled. Catherine II considered that it was safer to keep him with her, strictly ordering the poet "not to do any business."

For about two and a half years, according to him, the poet "staggered around the square, living in St. Petersburg without any business." And at the end of 1791 he received a new appointment - Derzhavin became personal secretary Catherine II on complaints. In the defense of justice, the poet knew no doubts. The empress did not always like this: after all, she was an autocrat and sometimes had little regard for the law.

Once, the secretary and the mistress argued so strongly that Derzhavin even shouted at the empress, and when she tried to leave, he grabbed her by the mantilla. Catherine screamed, her other secretary came running.

Vasily Stepanovich! said the monarch. -Stay here, otherwise this gentleman gives free rein to his hands.

Was it not then that Gavrila Romanovich said his significant words:

In Russia, laws are read only by legislators, and only insane people execute them.

In the end, Catherine could not stand it and lowered the shrew "up" - in September 1793, the poet was appointed senator, then president of the commerce college.

After the death of Catherine II in 1796, the poet continued to "quarrel with the kings." Paul I appointed him the ruler of his Council, but soon “for an obscene answer” he “expelled” him back to the Senate. After some time, Derzhavin again managed to win over Paul's favor with a commendable ode, and by the end of his reign he received a number of high appointments. Alexander I, with the formation of ministries in 1802, entrusted Derzhavin with the post of Minister of Justice. But the poet did not hold on to this post for long. During next report The tsar angrily interrupted Derzhavin with the words:

You always want to teach me, I am an autocratic sovereign and I want to.

On another occasion, when asked by Derzhavin what he had done wrong to the tsar, he replied sarcastically:

You serve very zealously.

In 1809, Derzhavin was finally "dismissed from all affairs."

The personal life of the poet was difficult, but happy, for the most part because of his personal originality.

Derzhavin became rich and imposing, bought big house on Fontanka. There, in 1793, his beloved wife, Ekaterina Yakovlevna, died. Soon the poet married her friend, the twenty-year-old beauty Daria Dyakova. She was strict with her husband, more than once scolded him for the harshness of his judgments and actions.

Having no children of his own, Derzhavin raised the children of a deceased friend. In his house it was always noisy, fun and a lot of people. Relatives were perplexed: when did the poet manage to find time for creativity?

Derzhavin was and was known as an extraordinary lover of life. Love for life, food, bodily pleasure literally exude his poems. After retiring, Gavrila Romanovich lived either in St. Petersburg or on his estate in Zvanka. He liked to welcome literary youth. It is known that the poet welcomed the first experiments of Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin, he also welcomed other Russian writers who later became famous.

Derzhavin witnessed the invasion of Napoleon and the expulsion of the French from Russia...

Gavrila Romanovich Derzhavin died on July 8 (20 according to the new style), 1816, in the village of Zvanki, Novgorod province. At the hour of his death, the following lines were found on the slate, which the poet usually used as a draft:

The river of time in its striving

Takes away all the affairs of people

And drowns in the abyss of oblivion

Peoples, kingdoms and kings.

And if anything remains

Through the sounds of the lyre and the trumpet,

That eternity will be devoured by the mouth

And the common fate will not go away.

He was buried in the Church of the Transfiguration of the Varlaamo-Khutynsky convent, located on the right bank of the Volkhov River, 10 kilometers from Veliky Novgorod.

Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin (1743-1816)

The Pushkin era is called the golden age of Russian poetry, not only thanks to Alexander Sergeevich. At the same time, excellent poets were creating - Derzhavin, Batyushkov, Zhukovsky, Baratynsky, the fabulist Krylov, Lermontov and Tyutchev began.

Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin was Pushkin's immediate predecessor. He was the glory of the 18th century, he was idolized, admired. We can say that the glory of Derzhavin passed to Pushkin.

Alexander Sergeevich himself recalls how he treated Derzhavin in his youth: “I saw Derzhavin only once in my life, but I will never forget that. It was in 1815, at a public examination at the Lyceum. When we learned that Derzhavin would be with us, we all got excited. Delvig went out onto the stairs to wait for him and kiss his hand, the hand that wrote "Waterfall"... Derzhavin was very old. He was in a uniform and in plush boots. Our exam made him very tired. He sat with his head on his hand. His face was meaningless, his eyes were cloudy, his lips drooped: his portrait (where he is shown in a cap and dressing gown) is very similar. He dozed until the exam in Russian literature began. Then he perked up, his eyes sparkled; he was completely transformed. Of course, his poems were read, his poems were analyzed, his poems were praised every minute. He listened with extraordinary vivacity. Finally they called me. I read Memoirs in Tsarskoye Selo, standing a stone's throw from Derzhavin. I am unable to describe the state of my soul: when I reached the verse where I mention the name of Derzhavin, my adolescent voice rang out, and my heart beat with intoxicating delight ... I don’t remember how I finished my reading, I don’t remember where I ran away. Derzhavin was in admiration; he demanded me, wanted to hug me ... They looked for me, but they did not find me ... "

Pushkin wrote this in 1835, by which time his attitude to Derzhavin's poetry had essentially not changed. He considered him a great poet.

Some thinkers believed that great Russian literature began with Derzhavin's ode "God". It was with this ode that he opened his collected works:

O Thou infinite space,

Alive in the movement of matter,

Eternal with the passage of time,

Without faces, in three faces of a deity!

The spirit is everywhere and one,

Who has no place and no reason

Whom no one could comprehend.

Who fills everything

Embraces, builds, preserves,

Who we call: God.

You're! - the rank of nature broadcasts,

My heart says to me

My mind assures me

You are - and I'm not nothing!

Part of the whole universe,

Delivered, it seems to me, in a venerable

In the middle of nature I am the one

Where did you end the bodily creatures,

Where did you start the spirits of heaven

And the chain of beings bound everyone by me.

I am the connection of worlds that exist everywhere,

I am the extreme degree of matter;

I am the center of the living;

I'm rotting in the ashes,

I command the thunders with my mind,

I am a king - I am a slave - I am a worm - I am God!

But being so wonderful

Where did it happen? - unknown;

And I couldn't be myself.

Derzhavin is a poet of classicism. But he introduced “cordial simplicity” into classicism, so his odes, his lyrical poems, as it were, stepped out of the conventions of classicism into living life. The work of the poet reflected many specific traits Russian life, Russian way of life, living Russian thoughts of that time. There were a lot of topical things in them.

It is sometimes difficult for a modern reader to read Derzhavin. But such is the poetic language of the pre-Pushkin era. This Russian language is still unsettled and motley, not yet brought into harmony. It is saturated with forms and turns that came from antiquity.

Derzhavin was born near Kazan in the family of a small estate nobleman. He did not receive a formal education. For ten years he served as a soldier in the Preobrazhensky Regiment. In 1772 he was promoted to officer. In 1777 he switched to civilian service: he served in the Senate, was governor in Petrozavodsk and Tambov, then secretary of Catherine II, Minister of Justice under Alexander I. Distinguished by his independence of character and directness (“Hot and true devil!” - he said about himself) , Derzhavin often quarreled with his superiors, and even went on trial. Since 1803, he lived in retirement, spending the summer in his estate Zvanka, on the banks of the Volkhov.

He began to compose poetry while still a soldier, writing in the barracks. In 1776, the poet published his odes in a separate book, but without indicating his name. The book went unnoticed. Later he was accepted into the circle of writers popular at that time - N. A. Lvov, I. I. Khemnitser, V. V. Kapnist, learned a lot from them, studied the works of theoreticians of classicism - Boileau, Batte, read Horace and other ancient authors .

These studies helped Derzhavin greatly. He anonymously published his new works in St. Petersburg magazines - and these were already truly Derzhavin works: “On the Death of Prince Meshchersky”, “Key”, “Poems for the Birth of a Porphyrogenic Child in the North”. Readers felt that none of the former poets, neither Sumarokov nor Lomonosov, used the “low calm” with such boldness, introduced colloquial speech so boldly, did not draw themselves, their acquaintances with such boldness in poetry, environment. In the verses of the classicists, everything was regulated, and Derzhavin, preserving the ode as a genre, saturated it with new content.

Derzhavin's ode "Felitsa", written in 1782, was a huge success. Under the guise of the princess "Kyrgyz-Kaisatsky Horde" Felitsa, the poet brought Empress Catherine. She, having read the ode, rewarded the poet and gave him a personal audience.

Derzhavin painted in "Felitsa" the image of Catherine as an enlightened "mother of the fatherland", tirelessly caring for the welfare of her subjects, sacredly observing the laws, smart and simple in everyday life and habits. The poet tried to create perfect image monarch. In a sense, this ode was the poet's lesson to the kings.

Derzhavin sang of the empress, but at the same time he satirically painted her nobles. For which they, of course, took revenge on him. So he was sent away from the capital to the remote Olonets province - but as a governor. Derzhavin traveled all over the North. While sailing in the White Sea, he almost died once in a storm.

Gavriil Romanovich was a very brave, resolute, courageous person. There is such a fact in his biography. When rumors of Pugachev's uprising reached Petersburg, Derzhavin succeeded in appointing him to the command of General Bibikov, who led government troops against the rebels. Three years he spent in the fire peasant war, twice almost captured by Pugachev himself.

“In the person of Derzhavin, Russian poetry has taken a great step forward,” wrote Belinsky. And the historian of Russian literature G. Gukovsky confirms: “His poems are torn from his hands, they are copied into treasured notebooks, they don’t even need to be printed, everyone already knows them by heart ...” This is already the 80-90s XVIII years century.

Derzhavin attached great value visual power of poetry, sound, phonetic coloring.

Let's read together the wonderful poem "The Swan", in which the sound writing is beautiful, and the depiction is amazing, and the content is very serious - in this poem, which recalls the Greek legend that the souls of poets after death turn into swans, we see that Derzhavin knew himself price as a poet and understood that he would remain in the memory of people not as a nobleman, but as a great poet.

Swan

I'm an extraordinary guy

Separate myself from the perishable world,

With an immortal soul and singing,

Like a swan, I will rise into the air.

Incorruptible in two forms,

I will not linger at the gates of ordeals;

Exalted above envy,

I will leave under me the brilliance of kingdoms.

Yes, yes! Though I'm not famous,

But, being a favorite of the muses,

I am not equal to other nobles

And I prefer death itself.

The tomb will not close me,

Among the stars I will not turn into dust;

But, like some kind of tsevnitsa,

And now the skin, I see, the feather

Around the camp fits mine;

Fluff on the chest, winged back,

Swan-like glossy whiteness.

I fly, I soar - and under me

Seas, forests, I see the whole world;

Like a hill, it rises with its head,

To hear God sing.

With Kuril Islands to the Bug

From the White to the Caspian waters,

Peoples, light from a semicircle,

Compiled by the Russian clan.

Over time, they will know about me:

Slavs, Huns, Scythians, Chud,

And all that are blazing with abuse today,

They will show with a finger and say:

“Here he flies, that, building a lyre,

spoke the language of the heart

And preaching peace to the world,

He made everyone happy."

Away with a magnificent, glorious burial,

My friends! Chorus of Muses, don't sing!

Spouse! put on patience!

Do not howl over the imaginary dead.

Derzhavin glorified in his poems the generals Rumyantsev and Suvorov, the Cossack ataman Platov, but also glorified the simple Russian soldier, Ross, as he sublimely called him. He also writes about young noblewomen, and sings of peasant girls. He is a big lover of life, so his landscapes are very real, expressive, bright. Nature in Derzhavin is cheerful and healing.

We began our story about Derzhavin with an excerpt from Pushkin's memoirs. But Pushkin did not know that a few days after this exam at the Lyceum, Gavrila Romanovich said to Aksakov: "Soon a second Derzhavin will appear: this is Pushkin."

* * *
You read the biography (facts and years of life) in a biographical article dedicated to the life and work of the great poet.
Thank you for reading. ............................................
Copyright: biographies of the lives of great poets

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

Origin

Gavriil Romanovich was born near Kazan in 1743. Here, in the village of Karmachi, there was a family estate of his family. The childhood of the future poet passed in it. The family of Derzhavin Gavriil Romanovich was not rich, noble family. Gavriil Romanovich early lost his father, 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 emigrated from the Great Horde in the 15th century.

Education in the gymnasium, service in the regiment

In 1757, Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin entered the Kazan Gymnasium. His biography already at that time was marked by zeal 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 he held the position of an officer. It is known that Derzhavin in 1773-74. took part in the suppression and also in palace coup, as a result of which Catherine II ascended the throne.

Public and literary fame

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

Derzhavin becomes governor of the Olonets province

By decree of the Empress in 1773, the Olonets province was created. It consisted of one district and two counties. In 1776, the Novgorod governorship was formed, which included two regions - Olonets and Novgorod. The first governor of Olonets was Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin. His biography on long years will be associated with administrative activities in this responsible position. She had a wide range of responsibilities under the law. Gavriil Romanovich was supposed to observe how the laws are enforced and how the rest behave officials. For Derzhavin, however, this did not represent great difficulties. He believed that restoring order in court and local government depends only on the conscientious attitude of everyone to their business and compliance with the law by officials.

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

Governorate in Tambov Governorate

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

In Tambov, Gavriil Romanovich found the province in complete disarray. Four chapters have changed over the 6 years of its existence. Disorder reigned in affairs, the boundaries of the province were not defined. Huge size reached a deficit. There was an acute lack of education in society as a whole, and in particular the nobility.

Gavriil Romanovich opened classes for young people in arithmetic, grammar, geometry, vocals and dances. The theological seminary and the garrison school gave very bad knowledge. Gabriel Derzhavin decided to open in the house of Iona Borodin, a local merchant, public school. Theatrical performances were given in the governor's house, and soon they began to build a theater. Derzhavin did a lot for the Tambov province, we will not list it all. His work laid the foundation for the development of this region.

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

How Derzhavin was removed from office

However progressive activity Gavriil Romanovich in this post collided with the interests of local nobles and landlords. In addition, I.V. Gudovich, the governor-general, took the side of his close associates in all conflicts, who, in turn, covered for local swindlers and thieves.

Derzhavin made an attempt to punish Dulov, the landowner, who ordered the beating of a shepherd boy for a petty offense. However, this attempt failed, and the hostility towards the governor on the part of the provincial landowners grew stronger. In vain were the actions of Gavriil Romanovich to stop the theft of the local merchant Borodin, who deceived the treasury by supplying bricks for construction, and then received a wine farm on unfavorable conditions for the state.

The flow of slander, complaints, and reports against Derzhavin was constantly increasing. In January 1789 he was removed from his post. Great benefit province brought his short-lived activity.

Return to the capital, administrative activities

In the same year, Derzhavin returned to the capital. He has held various administrative positions. At the same time, Gavriil Romanovich continued to engage in literature, creating odes (we will talk 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 his habit, Gabriel Romanovich often cursed and rude in his reports. Alexander I, who succeeded Pavel, also did not leave Derzhavin without attention, making him Minister of Justice. However, a year later, the poet was relieved of his post because he served "too zealously." In 1809, Gavriil Romanovich was finally removed from all administrative posts.

Creativity Derzhavin

Russian poetry before Gavriil Romanovich was rather 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 lyrics, the image of the author, that is, the personality of the poet himself, arose. Derzhavin believed that the basis of art must necessarily be 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 approach the comprehension of the world, to correct the morals of people and to study them. Derzhavin is considered to continue the traditions of Sumarokov and Lomonosov. He developed in his work the traditions of Russian classicism.

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

Derzhavin regarded his talent, his poetry as a tool given to the poet from above for victory in political battles. Gavriil 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. Already in next year the first volume of the works of Gavriil Romanovich appeared. It included poems that immortalized his name: "On the death of Prince Meshchersky", "On the birth of a porphyry child", odes "On "God", "Waterfall", "Nobleman", "Bullfinch".

Derzhavin's dramaturgy, participation in a literary circle

After retiring, Derzhavin Gavriil Romanovich devoted his life almost entirely to dramaturgy. His work in this direction is associated with the creation of several opera librettos, as well as the following tragedies: "Dark", "Eupraksia", "Herod and Mariamne". Since 1807, the poet took an active part in the activities literary circle, from which later a society was formed, which gained great fame. It was called "Conversation of lovers of the Russian word." In his work "Discourse on lyric poetry or about clothes" summed up his literary experience Derzhavin Gavriil Romanovich. His work greatly influenced the development of artistic literature in our country. Many poets have relied on him.

The death of Derzhavin and the fate of his remains

So, we told you about such a great man as Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin. Biography, Interesting Facts about him, creative legacy- all this was covered in this article. It remains to tell only about the death of Derzhavin and about future fate his remains, which was uneasy. Only after this can it be considered that a biography was presented. full Derzhavin Gavriil Romanovich, although briefly stated.

Derzhavin died on his estate Zvanka in 1816. The coffin with his body was sent along the Volkhov on a barge. The poet has found his last resort in the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Savior near Veliky Novgorod. This cathedral was located on the territory of the Varlaamo-Khutynsky monastery. The wife of Derzhavin Gavriil 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 Darya Alekseevna took place in 1959. They were moved to Novgorod Detinets. In connection with the 250th anniversary of Derzhavin in 1993, the remains of the poet were returned to the Varlaamo-Khutynsky monastery.

It is no coincidence that such a poet as Derzhavin Gavriil Romanovich is being taught in schools to this day. 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.

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

Derzhavin Gavriil Romanovich- outstanding Russian poet and politician, Derzhavin G.R.- was born on July 3, 1743. His work embodies the peak of Russian classicism. During his lifetime, he managed to visit the governor of the Tambov province, the ruler of the Olonets vicegerency, personal secretary under Catherine II, the minister of justice, the president of the Commerce Collegium and an honorary member Russian Academy(since its founding).

Gabriel was born in a small village in the Kazan province. His father, Roman, was not a very rich nobleman and had honorary title major. According to family legends, the Derzhavins descended from the Tatar Murza Bagrim. He left Golden Horde in the XV century and went to the service of the prince (in the reign of Vasily the Dark). Prince Murza was baptized and named Ilya. One of the sons of Ilya 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. The clergy taught him. At the age of seven, living in Orenburg, the father sends his son to the boarding school of the German Rosa, who was not particularly reputed good education or culture. Nevertheless, after four years there, Derzhavin began to speak German satisfactorily. A little later, Gabriel studied at the gymnasium of Kazan (in 1759-1762). Then he goes to serve.

Since 1762, he has known the full burden of military service. Derzhavin began with the Preobrazhensky Regiment. He was lucky in terms of participation in the most important historical events, but no luck as a young warrior. From the very beginning of the service, one has to participate in major eventcoup d'état. The result was the ascension to the throne of Catherine II. Ten years later, he was elevated to the rank of officer, and again he had to immediately take an active part in the pacification of the Pugachev uprising.

Gabriel publishes 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 own way writing. He becomes the founder of a new, original poetic style, which over the years turns into a model of the 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 completely devotes himself to the civil service.

The beginning of the service was in the Senate, in which he could not get a job because of the increased desire for truth.

In 1782, he wrote the well-known "Ode to Felitsa", in which, under a light veil, an appeal was observed directly to the empress. In turn, Catherine II liked his work, and she appointed Derzhavin the governor of Olonets, and after some time, the governor of Tambov.

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

Unfortunately, energy, directness and a sense of heightened justice politician often played with him bad joke. He was disliked by higher nobles, and often places in the sphere public service changed.

In 1791-1793. - becomes a personal cabinet secretary under Empress Catherine II herself, however, even here he could not get along with her policy, 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 his home circle.

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

When Derzhavin retired from public affairs, he completely devoted himself to creativity. He was also hospitable towards various writers of St. Petersburg. A little later, he decided to settle in St. Petersburg, but at the same time he visits the Zvanka estate in the province of Novgorod. 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 subjected to serious artillery fire. In 1959, a decision was made to reburial Derzhavin and his wife in the Novgorod Detinets. When in 1993 the restoration of the cathedral was completed, then on the anniversary (250th anniversary of Derzhavin), their remains were returned again.

Achievements of Gabriel Derzhavin:

The work of Gavriil 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 officer rank.
1778 - marries Catherine Bastidon.
1782 - "Ode to Felitsa", dedicated to Catherine II.
1784 - an ode to the philosophical bias "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 out from the pen of Derzhavin: "The thunder of victory, resound!".
1791-1793 - cabinet secretary under Catherine II.
1791-1794 - writes "Waterfall"
1794 - headed the College of Commerce. Death of first wife. Poems "Velmozh".
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 Lit. society "Conversation of lovers of the Russian word".
181101815 - Works on "Discourse on Lyric Poetry or on Ode" (treatise).
1816 - death. Watching now: (module Watching now:)

Gavriil (Gavrila) Romanovich Derzhavin is a Russian poet, the largest figure of Russian classicism, literature of the Enlightenment. He was born on July 14 (July 3, according to the old style), 1743, in the family estate in the village of Karmachi, Kazan province. He was the son of a poor landowner and a descendant of a family, the founder of which, according to family tradition, was the Tatar Murza. Having no education themselves, Derzhavin's parents made sure that their children were brought up and educated. In 1750, Gavrila was sent to a German boarding school, and from 1759 to 1762 he was a student at the Kazan Gymnasium.

At the age of nineteen, Derzhavin entered the military service, served in the Preobrazhensky Regiment as a soldier of the Life Guards; within this military formation took part in the coup d'état, as a result of which the throne went to Catherine II. In 1772, Derzhavin received an officer's position, but his military career develops in such a way that he has to retire and enter the civil service.

In 1773, the journal "Antiquity and Novelty" published "Iroid, or Vivlida's Letters to Cavnus" - the debut work of Gabriel Derzhavin, which was a translation from a German passage from Ovid. At first, creating in line with the traditions laid down by Lomonosov and Sumarokov, in 1779 he began to follow his own literary path, creating works in a style that was then revered as an example of philosophical lyrics.

The ode “Felitsa”, which sang of Catherine II, written in 1782, changed further biography Derzhavin, bringing him fame - not only literary, but also social. Thanks to this, in 1784 he got to the post of governor of the Olonets province, granted by the empress, which he held only until 1785 due to a conflict with local authorities. He did not have relations with the Tambov officials either, when in 1786 he was appointed governor of the Tambov province, therefore, in the post of G.R. Derzhavin held out until 1788, when he was recalled by the empress to the capital. For a short period of governorship, the poet proved himself an implacable opponent of various abuses on the part of officials, did a lot on the path of educating the population.

In 1789 Derzhavin returned to the capital. In 1791-1793. was in the position of cabinet-secretary of Catherine II, after which the empress deprived him of his post for excessive zeal. Accustomed to telling the truth in person, too independent and active, Derzhavin amassed many ill-wishers during his civil service. From 1793 he sat in the Senate, from 1794 he served as president of the College of Commerce, in 1802-1803. - Minister of Justice, after which he resigned at the age of 60.

Having retired from the civil service, Gavriil Romanovich lives not only in St. Petersburg, but also in the Novgorod province, where he had the Zvanka estate. Even as an official, he did not stop literary activity, wrote many odes, and after retiring was able to fully concentrate on it. Closer to the end creative way Gavriil Romanovich tried himself in the genre of dramaturgy, writing a number of tragedies. In 1808 a collection of his works was published in four volumes.

Petersburg house of Derzhavin was a meeting place for writers, in 1811 the circle of regulars became officially registered literary society“Conversation of lovers of the Russian word”, the head of which was himself and A.S. Shishkov. His views on language and literature were quite conservative, but this did not prevent Derzhavin from showing interest and favoring innovative phenomena in poetry. A fact from the biography of Pushkin is widely known, when he was noticed and "going down to the grave, blessed" "old man Derzhavin." His work in line with classicism became the soil on which the poetry of Pushkin, Batyushkov, and the Decembrist poets grew up.

Derzhavin died on July 20 (July 8, O.S.), 1816, on his estate. He was buried not far from Veliky Novgorod, in the Transfiguration Cathedral of the Varlaamo-Khutynsky Monastery. The burial place during the Great Patriotic War turned into ruins due to shelling. Only in 1959, the remains of Derzhavin and his wife were reburied in the Novgorod citadel, but in 1993 they were returned to former place when the cathedral was restored.