Origins & Early Life

Daniil Ivanovich Kharms (né Yuvachev; Russian: Даниил Иванович Хармс; 30 December [O.S. 17 December] 1905 – 2 February 1942) was a Russian avant-gardist and absurdist poet, writer and dramatist in the early Soviet era. Kharms was born as Daniil Yuvachev (Ювачёв) in Saint Petersburg, then the capital of the Russian Empire, into the family of Ivan Yuvachev, a member of the revolutionary group Narodnaya Volya. By the time of his son's birth, Ivan Yuvachev had already been imprisoned for his involvement in subversive acts against Tsar Alexander III and had become a philosopher.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Daniil invented the pseudonym Kharms while attending Saint Peter's School. While at Saint Peter's, he learned the rudiments of both English and German, and it may have been the English words "harm" and "charm" that he incorporated into "Kharms". His pseudonym might have been also influenced by his fascination with Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, as the two words (Holmes and Harms) start and end similarly; but there are a number of other theories regarding the pseudonym. Throughout his career, Kharms used variations on this name and the pseudonyms DanDan, Khorms, Charms, Shardam, and Kharms...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

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

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adolph Menzel — Contemporary (Died in 1905) (1905): Pioneering German Realist master, celebrated for his detailed etchings and genre scenes.
• Albert Pierrepoint — Contemporary (Born in 1905) (1905): Prominent English hangman who executed hundreds of people in a 25-year career.
• Aleksandr Popov (physicist) — Contemporary (Died in 1905) (1905): Pioneering Russian physicist credited with early radio receiving technology.
• Ama Ata Aidoo — Contemporary (Born in 1942) (1942): Pioneering Ghanaian writer, poet, and academician celebrated for feminist themes.
• Amitabh Bachchan — Contemporary (Born in 1942) (1942): Iconic figure of Hindi cinema, celebrated for versatility and enduring stardom.
• Anita Roddick — Contemporary (Born in 1942) (1942): Pioneering activist and founder of The Body Shop, championing ethical consumerism.
• 13th Dalai Lama — Shared historical date (12-17 · Died) (1933): Spiritual leader of Tibet who championed national independence and modernization.
• Amado Carrillo Fuentes — Shared historical date (12-17 · Born) (1956): Notorious Mexican drug lord, known as "The Lord of the Skies" for his jet fleet.
• Abba Eban — Shared historical date (02-02 · Born) (1915): Israeli diplomat, politician, and scholar of Arabic and Hebrew languages.
• Amrit Kaur — Shared historical date (02-02 · Born) (1889): Pioneering Indian politician and the first woman Health Minister of independent India.
• 1905 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1905
• December 17 (12-17) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on December 17
• 1942 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1942
• February 2 (02-02) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on February 2