The comedy titled The Coffee-Grounds Fortune Teller was written by Ivan Krylov at the age of 14, marking the initial attempt at a literary career for the future fabulist. Although the play was never produced, it provided a sixty ruble fee which he traded for the classical works of Racine, Molière, and Boileau to further his studies.
Early Life and Early Career
Born in Moscow in 1769, Krylov spent his childhood in Orenburg and Tver. Following the death of his father, a former military officer, in 1779, the family faced severe financial hardship. He moved to the capital to seek employment in the civil service. During the 1780s and 1790s, he engaged in multiple ventures as a journalist and magazine publisher, though none of his periodical projects achieved lasting success. He also worked as a secretary and tutor for Prince Sergey Galitzine between 1797 and 1801.
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After focusing on dramatic works such as The Fashion Shop and A Lesson For the Daughters, which satirized the Russian nobility's fascination with French culture, Krylov shifted his primary focus. Encouraged by the poet Ivan Dmitriev to pursue the fable genre, he published his first collection in 1809. The volume was an immediate success, and by the end of his life, he had composed approximately 200 fables, which he revised continuously across various editions.
Professional Recognition and Later Years
Krylov served at the National Library of Russia from 1812 until 1841, eventually heading the Russian Books Department. His status in literary circles grew, leading to his admission into the Russian Academy of Sciences in 1811 and the receipt of the Order of St. Vladimir in 1820, the Order of Saint Anna in 1829, and the Order of Saint Stanislaus in 1838. He died in 1844 and was interred at the Tikhvin Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1769, Moscow
- Died: 1844, Saint Petersburg
- Primary genre: Fable
- Employer: National Library of Russia (1812-1841)
- Notable awards: Order of Saint Anna, Order of St. Vladimir, Order of Saint Stanislaus
- Memberships: Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg Academy of Sciences
- Burial site: Tikhvin Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What was Ivan Krylov's primary occupation?
He was a multifaceted writer who worked as a poet, playwright, journalist, publisher, and translator, eventually becoming most noted for his work as a fabulist.
Did Krylov hold a government position?
Yes, he was employed by the National Library of Russia for nearly thirty years, serving as the head of the Russian Books Department.
Achievements
- Order of Saint Stanislaus, 1st class — 1838
- Order of St. Vladimir — 1820
- Order of Saint Anna — 1829
- Genres: fable, poetry and prose