Leo Tolstoy - Biography.

Leo Tolstoy - Biography. Russian writer and moral philosopher Birth September 9, 1828 Death November 20, 1910 Place of Tula Oblast, Russia Birth Known for Mastery of psychological realism, a literary style that combines realistic description with penetrating insights into characters' thoughts and motivations Milestones 1844-1847 Attended Kazan' State University, but left before graduating to return to his family estate, which he had just inherited 1852 Published his first work, Childhood, the first volume of a semi-autobiographical trilogy 1854 Was commissioned as an officer in the Russian army, and led a battery in defense of Sevastopol' during the Crimean War, retiring when the war ended in 1856 1855-1856 Published Sebastopol Tales, a collection of military stories for which he first received wide acclaim 1859 Established and taught at an experimental school for peasant children; traveled in Europe to study teaching methods, and eventually published a primer 1863 Published The Cossacks, a short novel based on his military experiences 1865-1869 Published War and Peace, a novel chronicling the lives of five families and the Russian campaign of French emperor Napoleon I 1875-1877 Published Anna Karenina, a novel in which the title character rebels against prevailing social codes with disastrous results 1882 Published A Confession, an account of the spiritual crisis that led Tolstoy to reject all institutions that used violence, including the church and state 1888 Vlast' tmy (The Power of Darkness), a tragic play depicting the harsh realities of peasant life, was produced. Quote 'All happy families resemble one another, but each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.' Anna Karenina, translated by Louise and Aylmer Maude, 1970 Did You Tolstoy's teachings of nonviolent resistance greatly influenced spiritual and political leader Mohandas Gandhi, with whom he corresponded. Know Though born into the aristocracy, Tolstoy extolled the virtues of physical labor and sometimes dressed as a peasant. Tolstoy was excommunicated from the Russian Orthodox Church in 1901 because of his vehement criticism of the church and its close links to the Russian government. Utopian communities based on Tolstoy's ethical and moral teachings formed in Europe and the United States during the last years of his life; followers made pilgrimages to his birthplace and family estate, Yasnaya Polyana. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.