Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Alexander Griboyedov

Role / Field:

Russian diplomat, playwright, and poet, best known for 'Woe from Wit'

Born:

1795-01-04

Died:

1829-01-30

Century / Era:

1795s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Alexander Sergeyevich Griboyedov (Russian: Александр Сергеевич Грибоедов, romanized: Aleksandr Sergeevich Griboedov; 15 January 1795 – 11 February 1829) was a Russian diplomat, playwright, poet, and composer. His one notable work is the 1823 verse comedy Woe from Wit. He was Russia's ambassador to Qajar Persia, where he and all the embassy staff were massacred by an angry mob in the aftermath of the ratification of the Treaty of Turkmenchay (1828), which confirmed the cession to Russia of Persia's northern territories comprising Transcaucasia and parts of the North Caucasus. Griboyedov played a pivotal role in the ratification of the treaty.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The immediate cause for the incident was Griboyedov giving refuge to Armenians who had escaped from the harems of the Persian shah and his son. Griboyedov was born in Moscow, the exact year unknown, with biographers debating whether it was in 1790 or 1795. His mother who dreamed of providing him with a career made sure Griboyedov received the best education. He received a master's degree in philology from Moscow University, and subsequently enrolled in the doctorate program. Griboyedov was fluent in all major European languages...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Antonio de Ulloa — Contemporary (Died in 1795) (1795): Spanish Enlightenment figure, scientist, and colonial administrator.
• August Kekulé — Contemporary (Born in 1829) (1829): Pioneering German organic chemist, famous for the theory of chemical structure and benzene.
• Carleton Watkins — Contemporary (Born in 1829) (1829): Pioneering American photographer renowned for his majestic landscape views of the American West.
• Charles Bourseul — Contemporary (Born in 1829) (1829): French inventor, pioneer of the 'make and break' telephone decades before Bell.
• Alauddin Khalji — Shared historical date (01-04 · Died) (1316): Powerful Sultan of Delhi who reformed administration and repelled Mongol invasions.
• Albert Camus — Shared historical date (01-04 · Died) (1960): Philosopher and writer known for Absurdism, The Stranger, and The Plague.
• Akira Yoshino — Shared historical date (01-30 · Born) (1948): Pioneering chemist credited with the first safe, production-viable lithium-ion battery.
• Amrita Sher-Gil — Shared historical date (01-30 · Born) (1913): Pioneering Hungarian-Indian painter celebrated for modernizing Indian art.
• 1795 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1795
• January 4 (01-04) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 4
• 1829 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1829
• January 30 (01-30) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on January 30

Frequently Asked Questions about Alexander Griboyedov