Leo Tolstoy
Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) was a classic Russian author, philosopher and novelist. He is most famous for his epic novel War and Peace and its follow-up, Anna Karenina. He is considered to be one of the greatest authors of all time.
Tolstoy was born in Russia to a wealthy family. He did not begin writing professionally until he was in his forties. His early works, Childhood, Boyhood and Youth were semi-autobiographical and dealt with his own life experiences. He was prolific and wrote countless other works, both fiction and nonfiction. War and Peace was considered his magnum opus, it is a thorough examination of the history of Napoleons invasion of Russia in 1812.
In his later years, Tolstoy became increasingly interested in religious and social matters, especially the role of poverty in society and the implications of various moral systems. He wrote several books on the topics, among which include Resurrection and A Confession. He was also an avid pacifist and strongly opposed any form of violence.
Aside from writing, Tolstoy was also a patron of the arts and often funded scores of young artists and writers, providing them with inspiration and encouragement. He was also a revered figure among Russias political reputation, making frequent public speeches and instilling the population with hope.
Tolstoy was a true intellectual and was respected by all. He has a distinctive place in Russian and world history, and for good reason. His works were universally acclaimed and were said to have been a huge influence in the modernist movement. He was also known for his charitable spirit and his undying commitment to the betterment and enlightenment of mankind.
