Kuprin's early years. Alexander Kuprin: biography, creativity and interesting facts from life

(August 26, old style) 1870 in the city of Narovchat, Penza province, in the family of a minor official. The father died when his son was two years old.

In 1874, his mother, who came from an ancient family of Tatar princes Kulanchakovs, moved to Moscow. From the age of five, due to his difficult financial situation, the boy was sent to the Moscow Razumovsky orphanage, famous for its harsh discipline.

In 1888, Alexander Kuprin graduated from the cadet corps, and in 1890, from the Alexander Military School with the rank of second lieutenant.

After graduating from college, he was enrolled in the 46th Dnieper Infantry Regiment and sent to serve in the city of Proskurov (now Khmelnitsky, Ukraine).

In 1893, Kuprin went to St. Petersburg to enter the Academy of the General Staff, but was not allowed to take the exams due to a scandal in Kyiv, when, in a barge restaurant on the Dnieper, he threw overboard a tipsy bailiff who was insulting a waitress.

In 1894, Kuprin left military service. He traveled a lot in the south of Russia and Ukraine, tried himself in various fields of activity: he was a loader, storekeeper, forest walker, land surveyor, psalm-reader, proofreader, estate manager and even a dentist.

The writer's first story, "The Last Debut," was published in 1889 in the Moscow "Russian Satirical Sheet."

He described army life in the stories of 1890-1900 “From the Distant Past” (“Inquiry”), “Lilac Bush”, “Overnight”, “Night Shift”, “Army Ensign”, “Hike”.

Kuprin's early essays were published in Kyiv in the collections "Kyiv Types" (1896) and "Miniatures" (1897). In 1896, the story “Moloch” was published, which brought the young author wide fame. This was followed by "Night Shift" (1899) and a number of other stories.

During these years, Kuprin met writers Ivan Bunin, Anton Chekhov and Maxim Gorky.

In 1901, Kuprin settled in St. Petersburg. For some time he headed the fiction department of the Magazine for Everyone, then became an employee of the World of God magazine and the Znanie publishing house, which published the first two volumes of Kuprin’s works (1903, 1906).

Alexander Kuprin entered the history of Russian literature as the author of the stories and novels “Olesya” (1898), “Duel” (1905), “The Pit” (part 1 - 1909, part 2 - 1914-1915).

He is also known as a great master of storytelling. Among his works in this genre are “At the Circus”, “Swamp” (both 1902), “Coward”, “Horse Thieves” (both 1903), “Peaceful Life”, “Measles” (both 1904), “Staff Captain Rybnikov " (1906), "Gambrinus", "Emerald" (both 1907), "Shulamith" (1908), " Garnet bracelet"(1911), "Listrigons" (1907-1911), "Black Lightning" and "Anathema" (both 1913).

In 1912, Kuprin traveled through France and Italy, the impressions of which were reflected in the series of travel essays “Côte d'Azur”.

During this period, he actively mastered new, previously unknown types of activities - he climbed hot air balloon, made a flight in an airplane (which almost ended tragically), went underwater in a diving suit.

In 1917, Kuprin worked as editor of the newspaper Free Russia, published by the Left Socialist Revolutionary Party. From 1918 to 1919, the writer worked at the World Literature publishing house, created by Maxim Gorky.

After the arrival of white troops in Gatchina (St. Petersburg), where he lived since 1911, he edited the newspaper "Prinevsky Krai", published by Yudenich's headquarters.

In the fall of 1919, he emigrated with his family abroad, where he spent 17 years, mainly in Paris.

During the emigrant years, Kuprin published several collections of prose: “The Dome of St. Isaac of Dolmatsky”, “Elan”, “The Wheel of Time”, the novels “Zhaneta”, “Junker”.

Living in exile, the writer lived in poverty, suffering both from lack of demand and from isolation from his native soil.

In May 1937, Kuprin returned with his wife to Russia. By this time he was already seriously ill. Soviet newspapers published interviews with the writer and his journalistic essay “Native Moscow.”

On August 25, 1938, he died in Leningrad (St. Petersburg) from esophageal cancer. He was buried on the Literary Bridge of the Volkov Cemetery.

Alexander Kuprin was married twice. In 1901, his first wife was Maria Davydova (Kuprina-Iordanskaya), the adopted daughter of the publisher of the magazine "World of God". Subsequently, she married the editor of the magazine "Modern World" (which replaced "World of God"), publicist Nikolai Iordansky, and she herself worked in journalism. In 1960, her book of memoirs about Kuprin, “Years of Youth,” was published.

Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin is a talented and original Russian writer of the late 19th - early 20th centuries. Kuprin’s personality, like his work, is an explosive mixture of a nobleman, noble robber and a beggar wanderer. A huge, raw precious nugget, which retains the primitive beauty and strength of character, the power and magnetism of personal charm.

Brief biography of Kuprin

Alexander Kuprin was born on August 26, 1870 in the Penza province. His father was a minor official of noble origin, and his mother’s ancestry had Tatar roots. The boy was orphaned early and spent almost seventeen years in military government institutions - an orphanage, a gymnasium, a cadet school, and later, a cadet school. Intellectual inclinations broke through the shell of military drill, and young Alexander developed and strengthened his dream of becoming a poet or writer. At first there were youthful poems, but after military service in provincial garrisons, the first stories and stories appeared. The aspiring writer takes the plot of these works from own life. Kuprin’s creative life begins with the story “Inquiry,” written in 1894. In the same year, he resigns and goes to wander around the south of Russia. Kuprin was everything during his travels - he unloaded barges at Kyiv piers, took part in sports athletic competitions, worked at a factory in the Donbass, served as a forest inspector in Volyn, studied to become a dental technician, played in a provincial theater and in the circus, and worked as a land surveyor. These wanderings enriched his life and writing experience. Gradually, Kuprin became a professional writer, publishing his works in Russia. provincial newspapers. Not accepting the October Revolution, Kuprin emigrated and lived abroad until 1937. Nostalgia for his homeland was reflected not only in creative decline, but also in physical ill health. Kuprin lived in Russia for only a year, after returning, and in August 1938 he died. .

Kuprin's creativity

In 1896, Kuprin writes and publishes the story “Moloch,” which is the beginning of a new stage in creative life an aspiring writer and a completely new work for Russian literature. Capitalism, despite its progressiveness, is a ruthless Moloch, devouring the lives and destinies of people for material profit. In 1898, he published the story “Olesya,” the first of his few works about love. Naive and beautiful in its naivety, pure love the forest girl, or as she is called in the area “the sorceress” Olesya, is broken by the timidity and indecisiveness of her lover. A man of a different circle and worldview was able to awaken love, but was unable to protect his beloved. From the beginning of the new, 20th century, Kuprin began to be published in St. Petersburg magazines. The heroes of his works are ordinary people who know how to maintain honor and dignity and not betray friendship. In 1905, the story “The Duel” was published, which the author dedicated to Maxim Gorky. Alexander Ivanovich writes about love and human devotion in the story “Shulamith” and the story “The Garnet Bracelet”. There are not many works in world literature that describe so subtly the hopeless, unrequited, and at the same time selfless feeling of love, as Kuprin does in “The Garnet Bracelet.”

• Alexander Kuprin himself is a great romantic, even somewhat of an adventurer. In 1910 he ascends in a hot air balloon.
• In the same year, but a little later, he was one of the first in Russia to fly on an airplane.
• He descends to the seabed, studying diving, and makes friends with Balaklava fishermen. And then everyone he meets in life appears on the pages of his works - from the millionaire capitalist to the beggar.

Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin was born on August 26 (September 7), 1870 in county town Narovchate (now Penza region) in the family of an official, hereditary nobleman Ivan Ivanovich Kuprin (1834-1871), who died a year after the birth of his son. Mother, Lyubov Alekseevna (1838-1910), née Kulunchakova, came from a family of Tatar princes (a noblewoman, she did not have a princely title). After the death of her husband, she moved to Moscow, where the future writer spent his childhood and adolescence. At the age of six, the boy was sent to the Moscow Razumovsky boarding school (orphanage), from where he left in 1880. In the same year he entered the Second Moscow Cadet Corps.

In 1887 he was graduated from the Alexander Military School. Subsequently, he described his “military youth” in the stories “At the Turning Point (Cadets)” and in the novel “Junkers”.

Kuprin's first literary experience was poetry that remained unpublished. The first work to see the light was the story “The Last Debut” (1889).

In 1890, Kuprin, with the rank of second lieutenant, was released into the 46th Dnieper Infantry Regiment, stationed in the Podolsk province (in Proskurov). The life of an officer, which he led for four years, provided rich material for his future works.

In 1893-1894, the St. Petersburg magazine “Russian Wealth” published his story “In the Dark,” the stories “On a Moonlit Night” and “Inquiry.” Kuprin has several stories on an army theme: “Overnight” (1897), “Night Shift” (1899), “Hike”.

In 1894, Lieutenant Kuprin retired and moved to Kyiv, without any civilian profession. In the following years, he traveled a lot around Russia, trying many professions, greedily absorbing life experiences that became the basis of his future works.

During these years, Kuprin met I. A. Bunin, A. P. Chekhov and M. Gorky. In 1901 he moved to St. Petersburg and began working as secretary of the “Magazine for Everyone.” Kuprin's stories appeared in St. Petersburg magazines: “Swamp” (1902), “Horse Thieves” (1903), “White Poodle” (1903).

In 1905, his most significant work was published - the story "The Duel", which was a great success. The writer’s performances reading individual chapters of “The Duel” became an event in the cultural life of the capital. His other works of this time: the stories “Staff Captain Rybnikov” (1906), “River of Life”, “Gambrinus” (1907), the essay “Events in Sevastopol” (1905). In 1906, he was a candidate for deputy of the State Duma of the first convocation from the St. Petersburg province.

Kuprin's work in the years between the two revolutions resisted the decadent mood of those years: the cycle of essays "Listrigons" (1907-1911), stories about animals, the stories "Shulamith" (1908), "Pomegranate Bracelet" (1911), the fantastic story "Liquid Sun" (1912). His prose has become a notable phenomenon of Russian literature. In 1911 he settled in Gatchina with his family.

After the outbreak of World War I, he opened a military hospital in his house and campaigned in newspapers for citizens to take out war loans. In November 1914, he was mobilized into the army and sent to Finland as commander of an infantry company. Demobilized in July 1915 for health reasons.

In 1915, Kuprin completed work on the story “The Pit,” in which he talks about the life of prostitutes in Russian brothels. The story was condemned for being, according to critics, excessive naturalism. Nuravkin’s publishing house, which published Kuprin’s “The Pit” in the German edition, was brought to justice by the prosecutor’s office “for distributing pornographic publications.”

The abdication of Nicholas II was met in Helsingfors, where he was undergoing treatment, and received it with enthusiasm. After returning to Gatchina, he was the editor of the newspapers “Free Russia”, “Liberty”, “Petrogradsky Listok”, and sympathized with the Socialist Revolutionaries. After the Bolsheviks seized power, the writer did not accept the policy of war communism and the terror associated with it. In 1918, I went to Lenin with a proposal to publish a newspaper for the village - “Earth”. He worked at the World Literature publishing house, founded by M. Gorky. At this time, he translated “Don Carlos” by F. Schiller. He was arrested, spent three days in prison, was released and added to the list of hostages.

On October 16, 1919, with the arrival of the Whites in Gatchina, he entered the North-Western Army with the rank of lieutenant and was appointed editor of the army newspaper “Prinevsky Krai,” headed by General P. N. Krasnov.

After the defeat of the North-Western Army, he went to Revel, and from there in December 1919 to Helsinki, where he stayed until July 1920, after which he went to Paris.

The seventeen years that the writer spent in Paris, contrary to the opinion of Soviet literary criticism, were a fruitful period.

According to the version of Soviet literary criticism, Kuprin, who was almost forcibly mobilized by the whites and ended up in exile due to a misunderstanding, did not write anything worthwhile abroad.

In fact, the fifty-year-old Kuprin, released from military service for health reasons, volunteered to join the White Army; he wrote about the officers of the North-Western Army: “Only people of excessively high fighting qualities got along among the officers. In this army it was impossible to hear such definitions about an officer as brave, daring, courageous, heroic, and so on. There were two definitions: “a good officer” or, occasionally, “yes, if in hand.” Seeing his duty in the fight against the Bolsheviks, he was proud of serving in this army; if he could, he would go into formation, into position. As an expensive relic in exile, he kept the lieutenant's field shoulder straps and a three-color sleeve corner sewn by Elizaveta Moritsevna. After the defeat, having already been in prison and as a hostage, he saved himself and his family from terror. The writer did not accept dictatorship as a form of power; he called Soviet Russia the Council of Deputies.

During the years of emigration, Kuprin wrote three long stories, many short stories, articles and essays. His prose brightened noticeably. If "The Duel" reduces the image of the noble tsarist officer almost to the level of a modern officer, then the “Junkers” are filled with the spirit of the Russian army, invincible and immortal. “I would like,” said Kuprin, “for the past that is gone forever, our schools, our cadets, our life, customs, traditions to remain at least on paper and not disappear not only from the world, but even from the memory of people. “Junker” is my testament to Russian youth.”

By 1930, the Kuprin family was impoverished and mired in debt. His literary fees were meager, and alcoholism plagued his years in Paris. From 1932, his vision steadily deteriorated, and his handwriting became significantly worse. Return to Soviet Union became the only solution material and psychological problems Kuprina. At the end of 1936, he finally decided to apply for a visa. In 1937, at the invitation of the USSR government, he returned to his homeland. Kuprin’s return to the Soviet Union was preceded by an appeal from the USSR Plenipotentiary Representative in France V.P. Potemkin on August 7, 1936 with a corresponding proposal to J.V. Stalin (who gave the preliminary “go-ahead”), and on October 12, 1936 - with a letter to the People’s Commissar of Internal Affairs N. I. Ezhov. Yezhov sent Potemkin’s note to the Politburo of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks, which on October 23, 1936 decided: “to allow the writer A. I. Kuprin to enter the USSR” (voted “for” by I. V. Stalin, V. M. Molotov, V. . Y. Chubar and A. A. Andreev; K. E. Voroshilov abstained).

He died on the night of August 25, 1938 from esophageal cancer. He was buried in Leningrad on the Literary Bridge of the Volkovsky Cemetery next to the grave of I. S. Turgenev.

Russian writer.

Born on August 26 (September 7), 1870 in the town of Narovchat, Penza province. He came from a poor noble family and graduated from the Alexander Military School in Moscow.
The first work to see the light was the story “The Last Debut” (1889).
In 1890, after graduating from military school, Kuprin, with the rank of second lieutenant, was enlisted in an infantry regiment stationed in the Podolsk province. The life of an officer, which he led for four years, provided rich material for his future works. In 1893 - 1894, his story “In the Dark” and the stories “On a Moonlit Night” and “Inquiry” were published in the St. Petersburg magazine “Russian Wealth”. A series of stories are dedicated to the life of the Russian army: “Overnight” (1897), “Night Shift” (1899), “Hike”. In 1894 Kuprin retired and moved to Kyiv.
In the 1890s, he published the essay "Yuzovsky Plant" and the story "Moloch", the stories "Wilderness", "Werewolf", the stories "Olesya" and "Kat" ("Army Ensign").

During these years, Kuprin met Bunin, Chekhov and Gorky. In 1901 he moved to St. Petersburg, began working as a secretary of the “Magazine for Everyone,” married M. Davydova, and had a daughter, Lydia. Kuprin's stories appeared in St. Petersburg magazines: "Swamp" (1902); "Horse Thieves" (1903); "White Poodle" (1904). In 1905, his most significant work was published - the story "The Duel", which was a great success. In 1907 he married his second wife, sister of mercy E. Heinrich, and had a daughter, Ksenia.
His prose became a notable phenomenon in Russian literature at the beginning of the century - the cycle of essays "Listrigons" (1907 - 11), stories about animals, stories "Shulamith", "Garnet Bracelet" (1911).
After October Revolution the writer did not accept the policy of war communism and emigrated abroad in the fall of 1919. The seventeen years that the writer spent in Paris were an unproductive period. Constant material need and homesickness led him to the decision to return to Russia. In the spring of 1937, the seriously ill Kuprin returned to his homeland.

He died on the night of August 25, 1938 after a serious illness. He was buried in Leningrad on the Literary Bridge, next to Turgenev’s grave.

Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin and Russian literature of the early 20th century are inseparable. This happened because the writer, in his own works, covered contemporary life, discussed topics and sought answers to questions that are usually classified as eternal. All his work is based on life prototypes. Alexander Ivanovich drew plots from life, he only refracted this or that situation in an artistic way. According to generally accepted opinion, the work of this author belongs to literary direction realism, but there are pages that are written in the style of romanticism.

In 1870, a boy was born in one of the cities of the Penza province. They named him Alexander. Sasha's parents were poor nobles.

The boy's father served as a secretary in court, and his mother took care of the household. Fate decreed that after Alexander turned one year old, his father died suddenly from illness.

After this sad event, the widow and children go to live in Moscow. Alexander's further life, one way or another, will be connected with Moscow.

Sasha studied at a cadet boarding school. Everything indicated that the boy’s fate would be connected with military affairs. But in reality it turned out completely wrong. The theme of the army became firmly entrenched in Kuprin’s literary work. Such works as “Army Ensign”, “Cadets”, “Duel”, “Junkers” are dedicated to military service. It is worth noting that the image of the main character of “The Duel” is autobiographical. The author admits that he created the image of the second lieutenant based on the experience of his own service.

The year 1894 was marked for the future prose writer by his resignation from military service. This happened thanks to his explosive nature. At this time, the future prose writer is looking for himself. He tries to write, and his first attempts are successful.

Some stories from his pen are published in magazines. This period until 1901 can be called a fruitful period literary creativity Kuprina. The following works were written: “Olesya”, “Lilac Bush”, “ Wonderful doctor"and many others.

In Russia during this period of time, popular unrest was brewing due to opposition to capitalism. The young author reacts creatively to these processes.

The result was the story “Moloch”, where he turns to ancient Russian mythology. Under the guise of a mythological creature, he shows the soulless power of capitalism.

Important! When “Moloch” was published, its author began to communicate closely with the luminaries of Russian literature of that period. These are Bunin, Chekhov, Gorky.

In 1901, Alexander met his only one and tied the knot. After marriage, the couple moved to St. Petersburg. At this time, the writer was active both in the literary field and in public life. Works written: “White Poodle”, “Horse Thieves” and others.

In 1911, the family moved to Gatchina. At this time, creativity appears new topic– love. He writes, "Shulamith".

A. I. Kuprin “Garnet Bracelet”

In 1918, the couple emigrated to France. Abroad, the writer continues to work fruitfully. More than 20 stories have been written. Among them are “Blue Star”, “Yu-Yu” and others.

1937 became a landmark year in the sense that Alexander Ivanovich was allowed to return to his homeland. The sick writer returns to Russia. He lives in his homeland for only a year. The ashes rest in the Volkovsky cemetery in Leningrad.

The most important thing you need to know about the life and work of this outstanding author is located in the chronological table:

The most important thing about Kuprin

A brief biography of the writer can be summarized in several main milestones of his life. Alexander Ivanovich comes from an impoverished noble family. It so happened that the boy was left without a father early on. For this reason, the formation of personality was quite difficult. After all, as you know, a boy needs a father. The mother, having moved to Moscow, decides to send her son to study at a military school. Therefore, the army structure quite strongly influenced Alexander Ivanovich and his worldview.

Main stages of life:

• Until 1894, that is, before retiring from military service, the aspiring author tried his hand at writing.
• After 1894, he realized that writing was his calling, so he devoted himself entirely to creativity. Makes acquaintance with Gorky, Bunin, Chekhov and other writers of that time.
• The revolution of 1917 confirmed Kuprin in the idea that perhaps they were right in their views on power. Therefore, the writer and his family cannot stay in Russia and are forced to emigrate. Alexander Ivanovich has been living in France for almost 20 years and working fruitfully. A year before his death, he was allowed to return to his homeland, which he did.
• In 1938, the writer’s heart stopped beating forever.

Useful video: the early period of creativity of A. I. Kuprin

Biography for children

Children become acquainted with the name Kuprin while studying at elementary school. Below is biographical information about the writer that students need.

It is important for children of primary school age to know that Alexander Ivanovich turned to the topic of children and childhood for a reason. He writes on this topic simply and naturally. In this series he creates a large number of stories about animals. In general, in works of this orientation, Kuprin expresses humane treatment to everything living.

In stories whose heroes are children, the theme of orphanhood is acutely expressed. Perhaps this is due to the fact that their author himself was left without a father early on. But it is worth noting that he shows orphanhood as social problem. Works about children and for children include “The Wonderful Doctor”, “Yu-Yu”, “Taper”, “Elephant”, “White Poodle” and many others.

Important! Undoubtedly, the contribution of this outstanding writer to the development and formation of children's literature is extremely great.

A. I. Kuprin in Gatchina

Kuprin's last years

There were many difficulties in Kuprin’s childhood, and there were no less problems in recent years life. In 1937 he was allowed to return to the Soviet Union. He was greeted solemnly. Among those greeting the famous prose writer were many famous poets and writers of that time. In addition to these people, there were a lot of fans of Alexander Ivanovich’s work.

By this time, Kuprin was diagnosed with cancer. This disease greatly undermined the resources of the writer’s body. Returning to his homeland, the prose writer hoped that staying in his native land would only benefit him. Unfortunately, the writer's hopes were not destined to come true. A year later, the talented realist passed away.

Last years of life

Kuprin in videos

IN modern world informatization, a lot of biographical information about creative people digitized. The TV channel “My Joy” broadcasts a series of programs “My Live Journal”. In this series there is a program about the life and work of Alexander Kuprin.

On the TV channel “Russia. Culture" broadcasts a series of lectures about writers. The duration of the video is 25 minutes. Moreover, lectures about Alexander Ivanovich also form a cycle. There are those that tell about childhood and adolescence and the period of emigration. Their duration is approximately the same.

There are collections of videos about Kuprin on the Internet. Even an entire virtual page is dedicated to the famous Russian writer. This page also contains links to audiobooks. Reader reviews are posted at the very end.

Return to Homeland

Wikipedia about Kuprin

IN electronic encyclopedia Wikipedia has posted a voluminous information article about Alexander Ivanovich. It talks in detail about life path prose writer Detailed descriptions of his main works are given. The information concerning the writer’s family is covered quite fully. This text is accompanied by personal photographs of Kuprin.

After the basic information, the author's bibliography is presented, with electronic links to almost all books. Anyone who is truly interested in his work can read what interests them. There are also links to videos with filmed works of Alexander Ivanovich. At the end of the article, memorable places associated with the name of Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin are listed, many are illustrated with photographs.

Useful video: biography of A.I. Kuprina

Conclusion

70 years have passed since Kuprin's death. This is a fairly long period of time. But, despite this, the popularity of Alexander Ivanovich’s works does not decrease. This is due to the fact that they contain things that are understandable to everyone. The works of Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin should be read by everyone who wants to better understand the nature of relationships and the motives that drive different people. They are a kind of encyclopedia of moral qualities and deep experiences of any person.