29 January [O.S. 17 January] 1860 – 15 July [O.S. 2 July] 1904) was a Russian playwright and short story writer. Widely considered one of the greatest writers of all time, his career as a playwright produced four classics, and his best short stories are held in high esteem by writers and critics. Along with Henrik Ibsen and August Strindberg, Chekhov is often referred to as one of the three seminal figures in the birth of early modernism in the theatre. Chekhov was a physician by profession. "Medicine is my lawful wife," he once said, "and literature is my mistress."
Life and Career
Chekhov renounced the theatre after the reception of The Seagull in 1896, but the play was revived to acclaim in 1898 by Konstantin Stanislavski's Moscow Art Theatre, which subsequently also produced Chekhov's Uncle Vanya and premiered his last two plays, Three Sisters and The Cherry Orchard. These four works present a challenge to the acting ensemble as well as to audiences, because in place of conventional action Chekhov offers a "theatre of mood" and a "submerged life in the text."
Chekhov began writing stories to earn money, but as his artistic ambition grew, he made formal innovations that influenced the evolution of the modern short story. He wrote that it is not the duty of writers to solve problems, but to correctly state them.
Key Facts
- Born: January 29, 1860 in Taganrog, Ekaterinoslav Governorate,, Russian Empire
- Died: 1904
- Field: Literature
- Awards: Pushkin Prize, Medal for works on the first general census
Legacy and Impact
The influence of Anton Chekhov extends far beyond their own lifetime. They fundamentally shaped literature and the written word, and their written works and literary innovations remain foundational to this day.
Though they passed away in 1904, their ideas continue to be studied, debated, and built upon by scholars and practitioners worldwide.
Anton Chekhov remains one of the most celebrated minds to emerge from Russia, a testament to the rich intellectual heritage of the region.
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