The fate of A. S. Griboyedov: a brilliant career and a terrible death. The creative and life path of Griboedov Alexander Sergeevich Biography and work of Griboedov summary

On January 15 (4), 1790 (according to some sources, 1795), Alexander Sergeevich Griboedov was born in Moscow into the family of a retired major. The biography of this man is full of secrets and mysteries. Unknown even exact date his coming into being. The father of the future writer was a man of little education. The mother, who was a famous pianist and noble lady, was engaged in raising children. Thanks to her, the writer received an excellent home education.

Education

Griboyedov was lucky from childhood with teachers and educators. His tutors were Petrozilius and Bogdan Ivanovich Ion, talented and famous people. Therefore, already in childhood, the future playwright knew several foreign languages, learned to play the piano. In 1802 he entered the Moscow University boarding school. Professor Bule is following his further education. The young man studies well, receives awards and at the age of 13 becomes a candidate of verbal sciences.

Even as a student, he began to get involved in literature, was a regular participant in literary meetings. At the same time, the first compositions of Griboyedov were written.

However, the most Interesting Facts the writer's biographies conceal the mature years of his life.

Military service

Quite strange was the decision of the brilliantly educated young man choose military career. In 1812, with the beginning Patriotic War Griboedov's life has changed a lot. He joined the regiment of Count Saltykov. Alexander Sergeevich never managed to take part in hostilities, and he is retiring.

Life in the capital

In 1817, he entered the service of the St. Petersburg State College of Foreign Affairs. Passion for literature and theater brings Griboedov closer to many famous people. He meets Kuchelbecker and Pushkin. Having entered the Masonic lodge, he communicates with Pestel, Chaadaev, Benckendorff. Intrigues, gossip of secular society overshadowed this period of life. reeling financial situation forced the writer to leave the service.

In the Caucasus

Since 1818, Alexander Sergeevich Griboedov has served as a secretary at the Russian embassy in Persia. Responsible for public service, he simultaneously studies languages ​​and literature about the culture of the East. As part of the Russian mission in 1819, Griboyedov continued to serve in Tabriz. For successful negotiations with the Persians, as a result of which it was possible to free the captured Russian soldiers, he was presented with an award. A successful diplomatic career does not prevent the writer from doing what he loves. It was here that the first pages of the immortal comedy "Woe from Wit" were written.

Return

In 1823 Griboyedov came to Moscow and continued to work on the comedy. To print his work, the writer goes to St. Petersburg. But disappointment awaited him: he could not publish the comedy in full or put it on the stage of the theater. Readers admired the work, but this did not suit Alexander Sergeevich.

Connection with the Decembrists

To escape from sad thoughts, Griboyedov travels to Kyiv. Meeting with friends (Trubetskoy and Bestuzhev) led him to the camp of the Decembrists. For participation in the uprising, he was arrested and spent six months in prison.

last years of life

The defeat of the Decembrist uprising, tragic fate comrades had a detrimental effect on state of mind Griboyedov. He anticipates his death and constantly talks about it.

In 1826, the government needed an experienced diplomat, as relations between Russia and Turkey were aggravated. A great writer was appointed to this position.

On the way to his destination in Tiflis, Alexander Sergeevich marries the young princess Chavchavadze.

His happiness was short lived. Griboedov's death overtook soon after his arrival in Tehran. January 30 (February 11), 1829 on Russian embassy an attack was made. Heroically defending himself, the writer died.

A brief biography of Griboyedov is not able to give a complete picture of the life of the great writer. For my short life he created several works: "Student", "Young spouses", "Feigned infidelity". However, his most famous work is the comedy in verse "Woe from Wit". Griboyedov's work is not great, many plans were not destined to come true, but his name will remain forever in the memory of the people.

Chronological table

Other biography options

  • Alexander Sergeevich was a very talented person. He spoke many languages, composed music, and was interested in science.
  • see all

Alexander Sergeevich Griboyedov, whose biography will be presented in this article, was very gifted and he mastered four professions: playwright, musician, poet and diplomat. He is best known for the legendary play in verse "Woe from Wit". He is a descendant of an ancient noble family.

Childhood and studies

The boy was educated by his mother. She was a swaggering and proud representative of the upper class, but at the same time she was more than smart and practical. Nastasya Fedorovna was well aware that a high position in society and promotion can give not only connections and origin, but also the level of education of a person. Therefore, in the Griboyedov family, it was a priority. Mom hired the best French tutors for Alexander, and sometimes invited professors for lessons. Even in childhood contained in this article) read as many books as a common person does not master for a lifetime.

In 1803, the boy was sent to the Noble Boarding School, and three years later he entered Moscow University. Until 1812, Alexander graduated from the verbal and legal departments. The outbreak of war did not allow him to complete his studies at the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics.

Even at the university, everyone around recognized the future playwright as the most educated person. He perfectly knew all the world classics, read and spoke fluently in several languages, composed music and played the piano virtuoso.

Military service

Biography of Griboedov, summary which is known to all admirers of his work, was marked in 1812 important event. To protect the Fatherland, Alexander voluntarily enrolled in a hussar regiment. But while its formation was taking place, Napoleon's army was thrown back far from Moscow. And soon she did return to Europe.

Despite this, Alexander Sergeevich nevertheless decided to remain in the army. His regiment was transferred to the most remote regions of Belarus. These years almost fell out of the life of the writer. He will regret them in the future. On the other hand, many of his colleagues became the prototypes for the heroes of the comedy Woe from Wit. In 1815, the writer realizes that he can no longer exist in an army environment, and plans to complete his service.

Life in Petersburg

The biography of Griboedov, a summary of which was known to the playwright's contemporaries, changed dramatically with the move to St. Petersburg in 1816. Here he became close to the progressive people of that time and imbued with their ideas. Alexander Sergeevich then made many new friends, who later became the organizers of secret communities. In secular salons, the writer shone with cynicism and cold wit. He was drawn to the theater stage. During that period, he wrote and translated a lot for the comedy theater. Also, thanks to the necessary acquaintances, Griboyedov was able to get into the measured life of the writer, his participation in a duel that ended in the death of his opponent violated. His mother's connections allowed him to leave on a diplomatic mission away from the capital.

Service in the Caucasus and Persia

In 1819, Alexander Sergeevich Griboyedov, whose biography is full of interesting events, arrived at the service in Tehran. There he received many new impressions, met with local princes, courtiers, wandering poets and ordinary people. The service was simple, and Griboedov had enough time for self-education and literary creativity. He read a lot, honed his knowledge of Arabic and Persian. Also, to the joy of the playwright, his comedy "Woe from Wit" was written here easily and fruitfully.

At that time, the author made a simple heroic deed- took Russian prisoners out of the country. Griboyedov's courage was noted by General Ermolov, who decided that such a person should not vegetate in Persia. Thanks to his efforts, Alexander Sergeyevich was transferred to the Caucasus (to Tiflis). Here the writer completely finished and edited two acts of the work "Woe from Wit".

Return to Petersburg and arrest

In 1823 creative biography Griboyedov, the summary of which is well known to high school students, was marked by the completion of the main work of his life - the play "Woe from Wit". But in attempts to publish it and theatrical production, he met with categorical opposition. With great difficulty, the writer agreed with the almanac "Russian Waist" to print several passages. Also, the Decembrists, who considered it their own "printed manifesto", were engaged in the distribution of the book.

In Woe from Wit, classicism and innovation, broad character development and strict adherence to the canons of comedy construction are intertwined. A significant decoration of the work is the use of aphoristic and precise language. Many lines of the essay very quickly dispersed into quotations.

twist of fate

Who knows how Griboyedov's biography would have developed, a summary of which was described above, if not for a trip to the Caucasus in 1825. Most likely, the writer would have resigned and plunged headlong into literary activity. But the mother of Alexander Sergeevich took an oath from him to continue his career as a diplomat.

During the Russo-Persian War, the playwright participated in several battles, but he achieved much more success as a diplomat. Griboedov "bargained" a very favorable peace treaty for Russia and arrived with documents in St. Petersburg. Alexander Sergeevich hoped to stay at home and finish the works "Georgian Night", "1812" and "Rodomist and Zenobia". But the king decided otherwise, and the writer had to return to Persia.

tragic ending

In the middle of 1828, Griboedov left Petersburg with great reluctance. He put off his departure with all his might, as if he felt his death imminent. If not for this trip, then the biography could have continued to the delight of the writer's fans.

The last ray of happiness in the life of Alexander Sergeevich was his ardent love for Nina, the daughter of his friend A. G. Chavchavadze. Passing through Tiflis, he married her, and then went to Tehran to prepare everything for the arrival of his wife.

As for further events, there are several versions of how Griboyedov died. Biography, death - all this is of interest to admirers of the talent of Alexander Sergeevich. We list the three most common versions:

  1. Griboyedov was killed by Muslim fanatics while trying to take Armenian women out of the shah's harem. The entire Russian mission was destroyed.
  2. The mission staff, together with the writer, showed disrespect for Persian laws and the Shah. And the last rumor about an attempt to export women from the harem was the last straw that overflowed the Shah's patience. Therefore, he ordered to kill the insolent strangers.
  3. The Russian mission was attacked by religious fanatics set on by British diplomats.

This ends short biography Alexander Sergeevich Griboedov, who died on January 30, 1829. In conclusion, here are some facts about the playwright.

The life of a wonderful person

  • Griboyedov was fluent in Turkish, Persian, French, Arabic, Latin, English, Greek, Italian and German.
  • The writer was a member of a large Masonic lodge in St. Petersburg.
  • While in the Caucasus, Alexander Sergeevich used his position and connections to make life easier for the Decembrists. He was even able to take a few people out of Siberia.

Alexander Sergeevich Griboyedov - Russian playwright, poet, diplomat, composer (two "Griboedov Waltzes" have survived), pianist. Best known as Homo unius libri- The writer of one book, a brilliantly rhymed play "Woe from Wit", which is still one of the most popular theater productions in Russia, as well as the source of numerous catchphrases.


A.S. Griboyedov
portrait by I.N. Kramskoy, 1875

A.S. Griboyedov was born on January 4 (January 15 according to the new style) 1795 (according to other sources - 1794) in Moscow in the family of a guards officer. Ancestor A.S. Griboyedova, Jan Grzybowski (Polish Jan Grzybowski), at the beginning of the 17th century. moved from Poland to Russia. His son Fyodor Ivanovich began to be written as Griboyedov; under Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, he was a discharge clerk and one of the five compilers of the Code, i.e. code of laws. The author's surname "Woe from Wit" is nothing more than a kind of translation of the Polish surname Grzybowski.

Griboyedov received a versatile home education. From 1802 (or 1803) to 1805, he studied at the Moscow University Noble Boarding School (in the same place where Lermontov would study in due time). In 1806 he entered the Faculty of Philosophy at Moscow University. In 1810, after graduating from the verbal and legal departments, he continued to study at the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics. Griboyedov stood out for his versatile talent. He played the piano superbly, composed music, poetry, was interested in history and law, was a real polyglot: at the age of six he mastered French, German, English, and then Italian and several oriental languages. Griboedov's mentors at the university were Petrosilius, Doctor of Laws Ion, and finally, Professor Boulet. Griboedov kept his scientific interests for the rest of his life.

In 1812, Griboyedov volunteered for the Moscow Hussar Regiment (volunteer irregular unit) of Count Saltykov, who received permission to form it. The formation of a volunteer squad had not yet been completed when Napoleon entered Moscow. The regiment was ordered to leave the city and go to Kazan, to join the Irkutsk hussar regiment. But on September 8, 1812, Cornet Griboedov fell ill and stayed in Vladimir. Presumably, until November 1, 1813, due to illness, he did not appear at the location of the regiment. Arriving at the place of service, Griboyedov got into a cheerful company "young cornets from the best noble families"- Prince Golitsyn, Count Efimovsky, Count Tolstoy, Alyabyev, Sheremetev, Lansky, the Shatilov brothers. Griboyedov was related to some of them. Subsequently, not without irony, he wrote in a letter to his friend S.N. Begichev: “I spent only 4 months in this squad, and now for the 4th year I can’t get on the true path.”

Until 1815, Griboyedov served in the rank of cornet under the command of a cavalry general A.S. Kologrivova. In 1814 cornet Griboedov published in the journal Vestnik Evropy the correspondence “On Cavalry Reserves”, “Letter from Brest-Litovsk to the Publisher”. In 1815 Griboyedov's comedy The Young Spouses was published and staged. Zagoskin. Griboyedov responded with a pamphlet called Lubochny Theatre. In 1816, having retired, Griboyedov settled in St. Petersburg. In 1817, he was enrolled in the service of the Collegium of Foreign Affairs, met with writers - V.K. Kuchelbecker, N.I. Grech, and somewhat later with A.S. Pushkin.

At the beginning literary activity Griboedov collaborates with P. A. Katenin, A. A. Shakhovsky, N. I. Khmelnitsky, A. A. Zhandre. In 1817, the comedy "Student" was written (together with Katenin), directed against the poets of "Arzamas", followers of N. M. Karamzin. Ridiculing them, Griboedov argued both with the sensitivity of sentimentalism and with the dreaminess of romanticism in the spirit of V. A. Zhukovsky. Sharing the literary views of I. A. Krylov and G. R. Derzhavin, Katenin and Kuchelbeker, Griboedov was close to the group of so-called "archaists" who were in the "Conversation of Russian Word Lovers" society, headed by A. S. Shishkov. These views were reflected in Griboyedov's article "On the analysis of the free translation of the Burger's ballad" Leonora ", in which he defended the translation made by Katenin from the criticism of N. I. Gnedich. The comedy “My Family, or the Married Bride” was written in 1817 mainly by Shakhovsky, but with the help of A.S. Griboyedov (who wrote the beginning of the second act) and Khmelnitsky. The comedy Feigned Infidelity, which is a free translation (written jointly with Gendre) of the French playwright Bart's comedy Les fausses infidelites, was presented on the stages of St. Petersburg and Moscow in 1818, and in Orel in 1820.

In the middle of 1818, Alexander Sergeevich Griboedov was appointed secretary of the Russian diplomatic mission in Tehran. The appointment to Persia was essentially an exile, the reason for which was the participation of Griboedov as a second in the duel between officer V. A. Sheremetev and Count A. P. Zavadovsky over the artist Istomina. It was the famous “quadruple duel”, when after the opponents the seconds also fought.

The history of the duel is as follows: for two years Istomina was the lover of the cavalry guard headquarters captain Sheremetev. There was a quarrel, and Istomina moved out to her friend. On November 17, the novice writer Griboyedov, who was friends with Sheremetev, took the ballerina "for tea" to another friend of his, Count A.P. Zavadovsky, with whom he shared an apartment in the capital. The ballerina spent two days at her friends' apartment. Then there was a reconciliation between Sheremetev and Istomina, and she confessed everything. Incited by AI Yakubovich, Sheremetev challenged Zavadovsky to a duel. Seconds Yakubovich and Griboyedov also promised to fight. The conditions are the most cruel: shoot from six steps.

Sheremetev fired first. The bullet flew so close that it tore off the collar of Zavadovsky's coat. Enraged Zavadovsky called the enemy to the barrier and hit him in the stomach. A day later, Sheremetev died. Due to the tragic outcome of the fight of the first pair, the second duel was postponed. It took place only in the autumn of 1818. Yakubovich was transferred to Tiflis for service, and Griboyedov also happened to be passing through there, heading on a diplomatic mission to Persia. Griboyedov fired first and missed. Yakubovich shot him through the palm of his left hand.

In February 1819 A.S. Griboyedov arrived in Tabriz. Probably, an excerpt from his poem “The Wayfarer” (or “Wanderer”) - “Kalyanchi” about a captive Georgian boy who is sold in the Tabriz market dates back to this time. Since 1822 A.S. Griboyedov is on the staff of General A.P. Yermolov "on the diplomatic side" in Tiflis. The first two acts of the comedy "Woe from Wit", conceived, according to S. N. Begichev, back in 1816, were written here. In 1823-25 ​​A.S. Griboyedov was on a long vacation. In the summer of 1823, in the Tula estate of his friend Begichev, he wrote the third and fourth acts of the comedy Woe from Wit. In the autumn of the same year, together with P. A. Vyazemsky, he wrote the vaudeville “Who is the brother, who is the sister, or Deception after deception”, the music for which was composed by A. N. Verstovsky. In the summer of 1824, Griboyedov completed the final revision of the comedy Woe from Wit.

At the end of 1825 A.S. Griboyedov returned to the Caucasus. Alexander Sergeevich had plans for new works, which, unfortunately, have come down to us only in fragments. The plan of the drama "1812" (1824-25) indicates that Griboedov intended to portray the heroes of the Patriotic War, among them - a serf who experienced a feeling of high patriotism in battles; returned at the end of the war "under the stick of his master", he commits suicide. Which has come down to us in an excerpt and in the retelling of F.V. Bulgarin's tragedy "Georgian Night" (1826-27), based on Georgian legend, is imbued with anti-serfdom thought. The plan of the tragedy from the history of Ancient Armenia and Georgia “Rodamist and Zenobia” shows that A.S. Griboedov paid, on the one hand, a tribute to the tendency to historical research, and on the other hand, political issues present, transferred to a distant era, reflected on the royal power, the failure of the conspiracy of the nobles, who did not rely on the people, etc.

From January 22 to June 2, 1826 A.S. Griboyedov was under investigation in the case of the Decembrists. However, no charges were brought against him. Moreover, it turned out that long before the Decembrist putsch, A.S. Griboyedov left the Masonic lodge, refusing any cooperation with them. After returning to the Caucasus in September 1826, A.S. Griboyedov is already acting as statesman and distinguished diplomat.

In 1827, Griboedov was ordered to be responsible for diplomatic relations with Persia and Turkey. Alexander Griboedov takes part in the issues of civil administration in the Caucasus, draws up the “Regulations on the Administration of Azerbaijan”. With his participation, the Tiflis Gazette was founded in 1828, and a "working house" was opened for women serving sentences. A.S. Griboyedov, together with P. D. Zaveleysky, draws up a project on the "Establishment of the Russian Transcaucasian Company" in order to raise the industry of the region. In 1828, Griboyedov took part in the Turkmanchy peace treaty concluded with Persia. Then he is appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia.

In August 1828, in Tiflis, before leaving for Persia, Griboedov married N. A. Chavchavadze, with whom he happened to live only a few weeks. From her he had a son, Alexander, who did not live a day.

Foreign embassies were located not in the capital, but in Tabriz, at the court of Prince Abbas Mirza. Leaving his wife in Tabriz, Griboyedov went on an embassy mission to Tehran to introduce himself to the ruler of Persia, Feth Ali Shah. During this visit, on January 30, 1829, the Russian diplomatic mission in Tehran was attacked by a mob of religious Islamic fanatics. The crowd suddenly burst into the house, robbing and destroying everything around. Most likely, the Islamists were guided by dignitaries from the entourage of Feth Ali Shah, who were bribed by England. England was very afraid of the strengthening of Russia's position in Persia after the Russo-Persian war of 1826-28, and the Turkmanchak peace treaty largely undermined the interests of the British crown in this region.

During the attack, all members of the mission were killed, except for Secretary Maltsov. It is believed that Griboedov, in order to hide, climbed into the chimney, but did not climb through and got stuck. There he was found and killed. His body was tormented by an angry mob for a long time. The circumstances of the pogrom of the Russian mission are described in different ways. Maltsov, the only surviving witness, does not mention the death of Griboyedov, but only writes that 15 people were defending themselves at the door of the envoy's room. Maltsov writes that 37 people were killed in the embassy (all but him alone) and 19 Tehran residents. Another witness, Riza-Kuli, writes that Griboyedov was killed with 37 comrades, and 80 people from the crowd were killed. The corpse of the envoy was so mutilated that he was identified only by a trace on his left hand, obtained in the famous duel with Yakubovich. Griboyedov's body was taken to Tiflis and buried on Mount Mtatsminda in a grotto at the Church of St. David.

The Shah of Persia sent his grandson to Petersburg to settle the diplomatic scandal. In compensation for the spilled blood, he brought rich gifts to the Russian Tsar, among them was the Shah diamond. Once this magnificent diamond, framed by many rubies and emeralds, adorned the throne of the Great Mughals. Now he shines in the collection of the Diamond Fund of the Moscow Kremlin, as a “ransom” for Russia for the death of a well-known playwright. Griboyedov's comedy "Woe from Wit" to this day begins the study of Russian literature in every Russian school.

On the grave of her husband, the widow Nina Chavchavadze erected a monument with the inscription: “Your mind and deeds are immortal in Russian memory, but why did my love survive you?”.

The last years of A.S. Griboyedov Yuri Tynyanov devoted the novel "The Death of Vazir-Mukhtar" (1928).

A.S. Griboedov entered the ranks of the great Russian and world playwrights as the author of the comedy Woe from Wit. Rejected by the censorship (during the life of Griboedov, only excerpts were published in the almanac "Russian Thalia", 1825), the comedy was distributed in numerous lists, dispersed into quotes and popular expressions, many of which have not lost their relevance today.

Alexander Sergeevich Griboyedov was born on January 4 (15), 1795 (according to other historical sources- 1790) in Moscow, in a family of noble nobles. His father led his family tree from the Polish gentry.

The education of the children was controlled by the mother. She was a proud and swaggering representative of her class, but not devoid of intelligence and practicality. Nastasya Feodorovna understood that in modern times, promotion and occupying a high position in society can give not only the origin and connections, but also the education of a person. Therefore, much attention in the family was paid not only to the upbringing, but also to the education of children. Alexander's teachers were truly enlightened French tutors. Later, professors from the university were invited for lessons. Already in childhood, Griboyedov read a huge number of books.

Since 1803, the boy was assigned to the Moscow Noble University boarding school. In 1806 he entered Moscow University. Before the war of 1812, Griboedov graduated from the verbal and law faculties, education in physics and mathematics did not allow him to finish the war.

Already at the university, Alexander Sergeevich is unanimously recognized by others as one of the most educated people of his time. He perfectly knows all the world classics, reads and speaks fluently in several foreign languages, composes music, plays the piano perfectly.

Military service and social life in St. Petersburg

With the outbreak of the war of 1812, Griboedov considers it his duty to enroll in a hussar regiment to defend the fatherland. But while the regiment is being formed, Napoleon is already being thrown back far from Moscow, and soon the army leaves for European territory.

Despite the end of hostilities, Griboedov decides to stay in the army, and their regiment is transferred to the remote places of Belarus. These years practically "fall out" from the writer's life. Later, he will remember them with regret, although he will bring out some of his acquaintances of this time as heroes in his comedy Woe from Wit. Together with his comrades, he participated in the most reckless undertakings, spent time in revelry and games. All the best, instilled in him by university education, seemed to be lost. But after a while, a stormy pastime begins to weigh on Griboedov. First, he joins a circle of officers who, in their spare time from service, write simple poems, then begins to write articles. At this time, he sent to St. Petersburg notes "On the cavalry reserves" and "Description of the holiday in honor of Kologrivov." More and more interested in literature, Griboedov realizes that he can no longer exist in the hussar environment, and in 1815, having visited St. Petersburg, he makes the necessary connections and acquaintances there, preparing his transition to the board of foreign affairs.

In 1816, Alexander Sergeevich retired and moved to St. Petersburg. Here he comes close to the progressive people of his time and immediately accepts their ideas. Among his friends there are many future organizers secret societies. In secular salons, Griboyedov shines with cold wit and even cynicism. He is drawn to the theatrical stage. During this period, he wrote and translated for the theater the comedies The Young Spouses (1815) and His Family or the Married Bride (1817).

In the Collegium of Foreign Affairs, Griboyedov is reputed to be in good standing.

The calmness and regularity of life is disturbed by the participation of the writer in a duel, which ends with the death of one of the duelists. Largely thanks to his mother's connections, Griboyedov was sent away from the capital - as a secretary to the Russian diplomatic mission in Persia.

Service in Persia and the Caucasus

In March 1819, after a deliberately slow journey, Griboyedov finally arrives at his place of service - in Tehran, and then in Tabriz. He gets a lot of new impressions, meets courtiers and local princes, ordinary people and wandering poets. The service turns out to be simple, and Griboyedov has enough time to engage in literary creativity and self-education. He reads a lot, hones his knowledge of Persian and Arabic, with surprise and joy, realizes that the comedy of his "Woe from Wit" is being written here more fruitfully than ever. Soon the first two acts of the final edition of the comedy were ready. During this period, Griboedov managed to commit one truly heroic deed. At his own peril and risk, he was able to take out several Russian prisoners from Persia. Griboyedov's desperate courage was noticed by General Yermolov and decided that such a person deserved a better fate than living in Persia. Thanks to the efforts of Yermolov, Alexander Sergeevich was transferred to the Caucasus in Tiflis. Here the first and second acts of "Woe from Wit" were finished.

Return to Petersburg and arrest

In 1823, the writer goes on vacation. In Moscow and the estate of his friends near Tula, he completely completes the main work of his life.

In the autumn of 1824, Griboyedov went to St. Petersburg with the hope of publishing and theatrical production"Woe from Wit". But it meets with categorical opposition. With great difficulty, excerpts from the comedy can be printed in the almanac "Russian Thalia". As for handwritten versions, their number approached the book editions. The distribution of the book was also facilitated by the Decembrists, who considered it their "printed manifesto". Innovation and classicism, strict adherence to the rules of comedy construction and free development of characters are intertwined in the work. A significant adornment of "Woe from Wit" is the use of multi-foot iambic, precise and aphoristic language. Many lines of the comedy were "taken apart for quotes" already in the days of handwritten lists.

In the autumn of 1825, Griboyedov was going back to the Caucasus, but he was returned from the road on suspicion of participating in the preparation of the Decembrist uprising. Thanks to Yermolov's warning, Griboyedov managed to destroy compromising materials from his archive. At the time of his arrest, there is no evidence against him. During the investigation, the writer categorically denies his participation in the conspiracy. In June 1826, Griboyedov was released from arrest as completely innocent.

tragic luck

With great reluctance, he is again going to the Caucasus. And maybe the writer would have achieved his resignation and stayed in St. Petersburg, doing literary work, but his mother takes an oath from her son to continue her diplomatic career.

With the beginning of the Russian-Persian war, Alexander Sergeevich participates in several battles, but with great success acts in the field of diplomacy. He "bargains" for Russia the extremely beneficial Turkmanchay peace treaty and brings documents to St. Petersburg, hoping to stay in the capital. He dreams of continuing to write poetry, finishing the tragedies "Rodamist and Zenobia" and "Georgian Night", the drama "1812" that he had begun.

But it is precisely thanks to the personal contribution of Alexander Sergeevich to the drafting of the articles of such a favorable peace treaty that the tsar decides that Griboedov is most suitable for the post of ambassador to Persia. It is impossible to refuse the highest appointment and the writer is forced to go to Persia again.

tragic ending

With great reluctance, in June 1828, Griboedov left St. Petersburg. With all his might, he delays the arrival at his destination, as if anticipating his fate.

The last "ray of happiness" in his life was the ardent love for the daughter of his friend A.G. Chavchavadze - Nina, whom he married while passing through Tiflis. Leaving his wife in Tabriz, he travels to Tehran to prepare everything for the arrival of his beloved woman.

What happened next is difficult to assess unambiguously. According to most sources, Griboyedov was killed by Muslim fanatics for trying to take Armenian women out of the harem of a noble nobleman and caretaker of the Shah's harem, and the entire Russian mission was destroyed.

According to other sources, Griboyedov and the mission staff behaved disrespectfully towards the shah and the laws of the country, and the rumor about the removal of women from the harem simply became the last straw that overwhelmed the patience of the Persians and forced them to crack down on insolent strangers.

There is a version - that the religious fanatics were skillfully set on the Russian mission by British diplomats.

Whichever of these versions turned out to be true, the result turned out to be sad - the wonderful Russian diplomat, poet and playwright Alexander Sergeevich Griboyedov died a terrible death at the hands of Muslim fanatics of Persia on January 30 (February 11), 1829.

His body was transported to his homeland and buried in Tiflis (now Tbilisi) in the monastery of St. David.

Interesting facts about Griboyedov:

The writer was fluent in French, English, German, Italian, Greek, Latin, Arabic, Persian and Turkish.

Living in the Caucasus, Griboyedov used his position and all his connections to make life easier for the Decembrists exiled here in any way and was able to "pull" some of them out of Siberia.

The writer was a member of the largest Masonic lodge in St. Petersburg.

Date of birth: January 15, 1795
Date of death: February 11, 1829
Place of birth: Moscow

Griboedov Alexander Sergeevich- a talented Russian diplomat, Griboyedov A.S.- a famous playwright, a brilliant poet, a gifted pianist and composer, a real nobleman and State Councilor.

Alexander Sergeevich Griboyedov was born on January 15, 1795 in Moscow. The future famous playwright, an excellent poet, a wonderful pianist and composer, as well as a subtle diplomat and a convinced nobleman, was the descendants of Poles who moved to Russia in the 17th century. Their surname sounded like Grzhibovsky, but was translated into Russian.

His father, Sergei Ivanovich, was a retired officer who, in his youth, drank and played cards from morning to evening. His mother came from the same Polish family, was a very strong and powerful woman, confident in herself and her abilities.

Alexander Griboyedov spent all his childhood in Moscow with his sister and in his mother's family estate in the Smolensk province. Many relatives from his very childhood were surprised at Griboyedov's perseverance and hard work, who played the flute and piano perfectly, sang beautifully, wrote poetry and composed musical opuses.

Like all nobles, he received an excellent home education under the guidance of I. D. Petrosilius, a well-known scientist. In 1803 he entered the boarding school at Moscow University, three years later he entered the verbal faculty, in 1808 he already defended his PhD in verbal sciences. After graduating from the Faculty of Literature, he entered the moral and political department, and then the physics and mathematics department.

He himself studied foreign languages and to varying degrees mastered French, German, English, Italian, Greek, Latin, Arabic, Persian, and Turkish. AT student years he also communicated quite closely with many Decembrists.

Mature years:

In 1812, with the outbreak of the Patriotic War, Alexander Griboyedov voluntarily joined the army. He immediately gets into the hussar regiment, receives the rank of cornet. His cavalry unit stood in reserve throughout the war, he never saw a real battle. Immediately after the end of the war, Griboyedov resigned.

After the war, he settled in St. Petersburg, where he began to actively write for the magazines Son of the Fatherland and Vestnik Evropy. In 1817, he became a co-founder of the DuBien Masonic lodge, and also became an employee of the diplomatic department, the Collegium of Foreign Affairs. At first he worked as a provincial secretary, and then became a translator. It was in the Northern capital that he met Pushkin, who to a large extent influenced his development as a writer. Griboyedov was forced to leave St. Petersburg after an unsuccessful duel between Zavadovsky and Sheremetev.

In 1818, resigning from the post of diplomatic representative in America, he began to serve in the secretariat of the imperial attorney in Persia. He later ended up in Tiflis, where he met Yakubovich, with whom he had a score in the ill-fated duel in St. Petersburg. He was also forced to fight and was seriously wounded in his left hand. In 1821, due to a serious hand injury, he went to Georgia, where he began to work on Woe from Wit. A year later, he becomes a secretary under Yermolov.

In 1823 he returned to Russia and began to actively work on the completion of "Woe from Wit", he also actively works with many representatives of Russian literature. After about two years, he had to move to the Caucasus, where he stayed until 1826, and then was arrested as an accomplice in the Decembrist uprising.

No evidence was found, and therefore he was allowed to return to work in the Caucasus. He became an active participant in the development diplomatic relations between Russia, Persia and Turkey, was the initiator of the Turkmenchay peace treaty with Persia, which was beneficial for Russia, which became the final exact war between these countries. After that, he became the main representative of Russia in Persia. In 1828 Griboyedov married Nina Chavchavadze.

In 1829, on a January morning, radical Muslims attacked the Russian embassy in Tehran. During the attack, all the embassy employees were killed, including Griboyedov.

He was buried in Tiflis on Mount St. David. He was the initiator of the conclusion of an important diplomatic agreement between Russia and Persia, used a unique aphoristic method for constructing dialogues and narration in Woe from Wit, which was unique for his contemporaries, and was also one of the important propaganda tools of the Decembrists, using his work to expose the moral character of the nobles.

Important dates in the life of Alexander Griboyedov:

Born in 1795
- Entered a noble boarding school at Moscow University in 1803
- Defense of the candidate's thesis and obtaining the title of candidate of verbal sciences in 1808
- Voluntary entry into the army in 1812
- The beginning of active literary cooperation with the capital's magazines in 1815
- Membership in the Masonic lodge, entering the diplomatic service, as well as participating in a duel between Sheremetev and Zavardovsky as a second in 1817
- Appointment to the Secretariat of the Persian Legation and duel with Yakubovich in 1818
- Moving to Georgia and starting work in the diplomatic mission of Yermolov in 1821
- Publication of "Woe from Wit" after returning to Russia in 1824
- Transfer to the Caucasus in 1825
- Arrest in the case of the Decembrists in 1826
- The conclusion of the Turkmenchay peace treaty after returning to diplomatic service, marriage to Nina Chavchavadze, transfer to Persia in 1828
- Attack on the Russian embassy in Tehran and death in 1829

Interesting facts from the life of Alexander Griboyedov:

Griboedov was seriously wounded in his left hand in a duel with Yakubovich, this wound later became an opportunity to identify the writer's corpse after it was mutilated beyond recognition by attackers at the embassy
- Griboyedov had no children, The only son gave birth after the death of Griboyedov and died shortly after birth
- Griboedov's wife was a 15-year-old girl who remained faithful to her husband until the end of her days
- Huge Diamond natural origin"Shah", which is the pride of the treasury of Russia, was presented to Emperor Nicholas II by Prince Khozrev-Mirza as an apology for the death of Griboyedov

Have questions?

Report a typo

Text to be sent to our editors: