Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Mikhail Kuzmin

Role / Field:

A prominent Russian poet, musician, and novelist of the Silver Age.

Born:

1872-10-06

Died:

1936-03-01

Century / Era:

1872s Historical Era

Database Source:

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

Origins & Early Life

Mikhail Alekseevich Kuzmin (Russian: Михаи́л Алексе́евич Кузми́н) (18 October [O.S. 6 October] 1872 – March 1, 1936) was a Russian poet, musician and novelist, as well as a prominent contributor to the Silver Age of Russian Poetry. Born into a noble family in Yaroslavl, Kuzmin grew up in St. Petersburg and studied music at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory under Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He did not graduate, however, later explaining his move towards poetry thus: "It's easier and simpler. Poetry falls ready-made from the sky, like manna into the mouths of the Israelites in the desert." Despite this Kuzmin did not give up music; he composed the music for Meyerhold's famous 1906 production of Alexander Blok's play Balaganchik (The Fair Show Booth), and his songs were popular among the Petersburg elite: "He sang them, accompanying himself on the piano, first in various salons, including Ivanov's Tower, and then at The Stray Dog. Kuzmin liked to say of his work that 'it's only little music, but it has its poison.'" One of his closest friends and major influences as a young man was the polyglot Germanophile aristocrat Georgy Chicherin (who later entered the diplomatic service...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

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

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Aleksis Kivi — Contemporary (Died in 1872) (1872): The national writer of Finland, credited with the first significant novel in the Finnish language.
• Alexandra Kollontai — Contemporary (Born in 1872) (1872): Pioneering Marxist feminist, diplomat, and Bolshevik leader in early Soviet history.
• Arsen Kotsoyev — Contemporary (Born in 1872) (1872): Founding Ossetic prose writer and influential publicist of the Ossetian people.
• A. S. Byatt — Contemporary (Born in 1936) (1936): Acclaimed English novelist, poet, and critic, celebrated for complex narratives.
• Abdul Qadeer Khan — Contemporary (Born in 1936) (1936): Pakistani nuclear physicist, known as the 'father of Pakistan's atomic weapons program'
• Al Oerter — Contemporary (Born in 1936) (1936): Four-time Olympic champion in the discus throw, pioneering athletic consistency.
• Anwar Sadat — Shared historical date (10-06 · Died) (1981): Egyptian President who spearheaded economic reform and the peace treaty with Israel.
• Basil Zaharoff — Shared historical date (10-06 · Born) (1849): Greek industrialist and arms dealer, known as a 'merchant of death' in global conflicts.
• 6th Dalai Lama — Shared historical date (03-01 · Born) (1683): The 6th Dalai Lama, a spiritual figure known for his unconventional lifestyle and profound influence in Tibet.
• Akira Toriyama — Shared historical date (03-01 · Died) (2024): Pioneering manga artist, creator of Dr. Slump and the global phenomenon, Dragon Ball.
• 1872 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1872
• October 6 (10-06) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on October 6
• 1936 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1936
• March 1 (03-01) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on March 1

Frequently Asked Questions about Mikhail Kuzmin