A brief biography of Radishchev Alexander Nikolaevich. Interesting facts about the writer

Radishchev in his famous work wrote about how inhumanly the landlords treat their serfs. He noted the lack of rights of the people and the violence against them. Alexander Nikolayevich showed an example of a rebellion of serfs, driven to despair. For this he had to pay very dearly. Alexander Radishchev was sent into exile ... Radischev's biography will introduce you to all this and many others.

The Origin of Radishchev

Let's start with the representation of our hero. Radishchev Alexander Nikolayevich - a famous Russian writer, an adherent of "Enlightenment philosophy." Radishchev's biography begins on August 31, 1749 (according to the old style - August 20). It was then that Alexander Nikolayevich was born. Radishchev Athanasius Prokopievich, the grandfather of the future writer, was one of the amusing Peter. He rose to the rank of foreman. His son Nicholas Afanasy Petrovich gave a good upbringing. Nikolai Afanasyevich Radishchev was a Saratov landowner. And Fekla Stepanovna, mother of Alexander, was from the family of Argamaks, an old noble family. Her eldest son was Alexander Radishchev. The biography and work of the great writer glorified this name.

Training in Vernom Ablyazov and in Moscow

His father's estate was located in the Upper Ablyazov. Alexander learned Russian diploma on a psalter and an hour-book. When he was 6 years old, he was assigned to the Frenchman, but the choice of the teacher was unsuccessful. As they learned later, this Frenchman was a runaway soldier. The father decided to send his son to Moscow. Here he was entrusted to the concerns of the French-tutor, who had previously been an adviser to the Rouen parliament, but he had to flee from the persecution of Louis XV.

Alexander in 1756 was given to a noble school, which was located at Moscow University. Six years of training in it. In Moscow in September 1762, the coronation of Catherine II took place. Many noblemen were promoted in rank on this occasion. Radishchev's biography was marked by an important event for him on November 25: Alexander Nikolayevich was granted a page.

How Radishchev got abroad

He arrived in St. Petersburg in January 1764 and studied in the corps of letters until 1766. When Catherine decided to send 12 young noblemen to scientific studies in Leipzig, including 6 pages, who distinguished themselves by success in teaching and behavior, Radishchev became one of the lucky ones . When students were sent abroad, Catherine II personally wrote instructions on what they should do. Significant funds were allocated for their maintenance - first for 800 rubles, and from 1769 - for a thousand a year for each.

Life in Leipzig

However, Major Bokum, attached as a tutor to the nobles, concealed considerable sums in his favor, so the students needed. Radishchev, whose biography interests us, spoke about his stay abroad in the "Life of FV Ushakov." Quite varied were the classes of young people in Leipzig. They studied philosophy, law, history. According to the instructions of Catherine II, students could also study "other sciences" at will. Radishchev chose chemistry and medicine. He was carried away by them not just as an amateur, but very seriously. Alexander Nikolayevich even passed the exam for a doctor and subsequently successfully treated. One of his favorite things has always been chemistry. Radischev knew different languages (Latin, French, German). Later he also learned Italian and English. After spending five years in Leipzig, Radishchev, like his comrades, forgot the Russian language. Therefore, he began to deal with them on his return to Russia under the leadership of the secretary Catherine Khrapovitsky.

Return to St. Petersburg, service in the Senate

Upon completion of his studies, Alexander Nikolaevich became a very educated person, which at that time was not a lot not only in our country, but also in the world. In 1771 Radishchev returned to St. Petersburg. Soon he entered the service as a record-holder in the Senate. In the rank of titular adviser Alexander Nikolaevich did not serve for long, because poor knowledge of his native language interfered, as well as the appeal of the authorities and the partnership of orderlies.

Service in the headquarters of Bryusov and in the chamber-college, marriage

Radishchev decided to go to the headquarters of the General-Anshef Bryusov, who commanded in St. Petersburg. He became an ober-auditor. Alexander Nikolayevich retired in 1775, having risen to the rank of second major. Rubanovsky, one of his friends in Leipzig, introduced Alexander Radishchev to his older brother's family. On Anna Vasilyevna, the daughter of the latter, Alexander Nikolayevich got married.

In 1778, he again entered the service in the chamber cell-collegium for the position of an assessor. In 1788, Radishchev was transferred to St. Petersburg customs. He became assistant manager, and then manager. As in customs, and in the chamber-collegium, Alexander Radishchev excelled in devotion to duty, disinterestedness, serious attitude towards his duties.

The first literary works

Reading and studying Russian brought him to his own literary tests. In 1773 Radishchev published the translation of Mably's work, after which he began to compile the history of the Senate of Russia, but destroyed the written one.

The book that brought fame and became fatal

Radishchev's biography continues with the death of his beloved wife. It occurred in 1783. After that, Alexander Nikolayevich decided to immerse himself in literary work and find comfort in it. He published in 1789 "The Life of Fedor Vasilyevich Ushakov ...". Radishchev, using the Empress's decree on free printing houses, started his own at home and published in 1790 his main work entitled "Journey from St. Petersburg to Moscow."

Immediately began to quickly buy up this book. Bold arguments of Alexander Nikolaevich on serfdom, as well as other phenomena of state and public life of that time drew the attention of Catherine II herself, whom someone presented "Journey ...".

How the censorship missed the "Journey ..."

Radishchev's biography is very curious. Interesting facts about him are numerous. They can not be placed in the format of one article. However, one of them must be mentioned. Radishchev's book was released with the permission of the deanery authorities, that is, the established censorship. However, the author was persecuted. How is this possible? The thing is that "Journey ..." passed censorship simply because the censor thought it was a guide. Indeed, at first glance, it may seem so - the chapters of the work are called in places and cities. The censor looked only at the contents and did not go into the book.

Arrest and sentence

Not immediately found out about who the author of the composition, because his name in the book was not indicated. However, after the arrest of the merchant Zotov, whose shop sold the work of Radishchev, they learned that it was Alexander Nikolaevich who wrote the ill-fated work and published it. Radishchev was arrested, and his case was "entrusted" to lead Sheshkovsky. The Empress forgot that Alexander Radishchev had studied "natural law" both abroad and in the corpus corpus, that she herself had allowed herself to preach and preach the principles personally, which were mentioned in the "Journey." Catherine II reacted to the work of Alexander Nikolayevich with great personal irritation. The Empress personally composed questions to Radishchev and directed Bezborodko all the way through.

Alexander Nikolayevich was put in a fortress, where he was interrogated by Sheshkovsky. Radishchev repeatedly claimed repentance, refused to write a book by Radishchev. A brief biography of him, however, should not miss the fact that in his testimony he often revealed the very views that were cited in his work. Our hero hoped with an expression of remorse to soften the punishment that threatened him. However, Radishchev could not hide his convictions.

A brief biography of his future years is quite natural. It is clear that the fate of Alexander Nikolayevich was resolved in advance. He was found guilty already in the decree on the betrayal of the court. A brief investigation was carried out by the Criminal Chamber. The content of it is indicated in Bezborodko's letter to Count Bruce, commander-in-chief in Petersburg. Radishchev was sentenced to death.

Mitigating fate

Submitted to the Senate, and then to the Council, the verdict was approved in two of these instances, after which it was presented to the Empress. On September 4, 1790, a decree was issued that recognized Alexander Nikolayevich as guilty of the crime of the post of citizen and oath of publication of this book. The guilt of Alexander Radishchev, as it was said in him, is such that he deserves to be executed. However, for mercy and in honor of the conclusion of a peace treaty with Sweden, such a severe punishment was replaced by a reference to the Ilimsky prison, which was in Siberia. He should have stayed there for 10 years. Immediately, this decree was carried out.

Heavy years of exile

A hard time survived Alexander Nikolayevich Radishchev. His biography was marked by difficult tests immediately after the sentencing. Arrested in the summer, the writer was taken away without warm clothing from the fortress. Apparently, Catherine II hoped that Radishchev, already seriously experiencing his imprisonment, would die on the way. It is known that Count Vorontsov sent money to the Tver governor in order that Alexander Radishchev was bought everything necessary for a long journey.

Alexander Nikolayevich Radishchev, whose biography continues in Ilimsk prison, spent almost 5 years here. However, he did not lose heart. Radishchev treated local residents. Alexander Nikolaevich planted smallpox for children, equipped a small stove at home, where he began to burn dishes. And, of course, he continued his literary activity.

The sad fate of such a famous writer as Radishchev Alexander Nikolaevich attracted universal attention. A brief biography of him should not miss out on the fact that the sentence handed down to him seemed incredible. Many times in the community there were rumors that Alexander Nikolayevich was forgiven, that he would soon return from exile. However, they did not make excuses.

Relations with E.V. Rubanovskoy

In Siberia, E.V. Rubanovskaya, the sister of his late wife, and brought with her younger children (for education the older children stayed with their relatives). Radishchev in Ilimsk approached this woman. However, they did not have the right to get married. This was equated with incest and was a violation of church rules. In exile, Elizaveta Vasilievna gave birth to Radishcheva three children. She died in 1797 from a cold in Tobolsk, when she returned from exile. However, the feat of this woman, which anticipated the Decembrist, was not only not appreciated by contemporaries. Even after the death of Elizabeth Vasilyevna, they continued to be judged with Alexander Nikolayevich. When Radishchev returned home, Nikolai Afanasievich, his blind father, refused to accept his grandchildren. He said that marrying his sister-in-law is unthinkable. If Radishchev had chosen a serf, he would have accepted her, and Elizaveta Vasilyevna could not.

Homecoming

Soon after the accession to the throne, Emperor Paul returned from Siberia such an important public figure as Radishchev Alexander Nikolayevich. A brief biography of his later years, however, is marked by new difficulties. The decree on pardon was drawn up on November 23, 1796. Alexander Nikolayevich was ordered to live in the village of Nemtsov, Kaluga province, where his estate was located. For correspondence and behavior Radishchev was instructed to observe the governor. Alexander Nikolaevich after the accession of Emperor Alexander I was completely free. He was summoned to Petersburg. Alexander Radishchev became a member of the commission for drafting various laws . A brief biography of him ends abruptly. How did this happen? Now you will learn how AN died. Radishchev. His biography ends very unusual.

Radishchev's death

Bourne and Ilyinsky, contemporaries of Alexander Nikolayevich, certify that the legend of his death is true. According to him, Radishchev submitted a draft on legislative changes. It again put forward the liberation of the peasants. Then Count Zavadovsky, the secretary of the commission, made a strict suggestion to Alexander Nikolayevich for his thoughts, reminding him of his past hobbies. Zavadovsky even mentioned the Siberian exile. Radishchev, whose health was badly upset, and his nerves broken, was so shocked by Zavadsky's threats and reprimands that he even decided to commit suicide.

Alexander Nikolaevich drank the poison. He died in great anguish. Radishchev died on the night of September 12, 1802. They buried Alexander Nikolayevich at the Volkov cemetery.

Prohibition of Radishchev's name and rehabilitation

For a long time there was a ban on the name of such a great writer as A.N. Radishchev. A brief biography of his interest to many today, but after his death his name almost did not appear in print. Several articles about Alexander Nikolaevich were written shortly after his death, and then his name almost disappeared in literature. Very rarely it was mentioned. Only incomplete and fragmentary data were given about Radishchev. Batyushkov introduced Alexander Radishchev in the program of writing in literature, compiled by him. Only from the second half of the 1850s was a ban lifted from the name of Radishchev. Since that time, a lot of articles have appeared in the press about him.

And to this day researchers are attracted to Radishchev's biography. The summary of his "Travels ..." is known to many of our compatriots. All this speaks of his immortality as a writer.