Origins & Early Life

Mikhail Pavlovich Shishkin (Russian: Михаил Павлович Шишкин, born 18 January 1961) is a Russian-Swiss writer and the only author to have won the Russian Booker Prize (2000), the Russian National Bestseller (2005), and the Big Book Prize (2010). His books have been translated into 30 languages. He also writes in German. Mikhail Shishkin was born in Moscow on 18 January 1961 to Irina Georgievna Shishkina, a Russian literature teacher, and Pavel Mikhailovich Shishkin, an engineer constructor.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

In 1977 Shishkin graduated from high school #59 in Arbat district in the centre of Moscow. After graduation from Moscow State Pedagogical Institute, where Shishkin studied German and English, he worked as a road worker, street sweeper, journalist, school teacher, and translator. In 1995, Shishkin moved to Switzerland for family reasons. He worked in Zürich within the Immigration Department and specifically with refugees as a Russian and German translator. He has Swiss citizenship.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Shishkin was invited as a guest professor to Washington and Lee University in Lexington (VA) (fall semester 2007 and 2009). Since 2011 Shishkin has lived with his family in a small village near Basel. Shishkin...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Aaron Sorkin — Contemporary (Born in 1961) (1961): Master of fast-paced dialogue, known for 'walk and talk' storytelling.
• Abhijit Banerjee — Contemporary (Born in 1961) (1961): Pioneering economist known for using scientific evidence to combat global poverty.
• Alexander Vovin — Contemporary (Born in 1961) (1961): Pioneering Russian-American linguist specializing in East Asian languages, particularly Japanese.
• A. A. Milne — Shared historical date (01-18 · Born) (1882): Celebrated English author, famed for Winnie-the-Pooh and children's literature.
• Aitana Bonmatí — Shared historical date (01-18 · Born) (1998): Star Spanish midfielder known for her decorated career with Barcelona and the Spain national team.
• Andrew Forrest — Historical peer (Born in 1961) (1961): Pioneering Australian mining magnate and philanthropist, founder of Fortescue.
• Andy Lau — Historical peer (Born in 1961) (1961): Iconic Hong Kong actor, singer, and producer with a four-decade global career.
• A. E. van Vogt — Historical peer (Died in 2000) (2000): Influential Canadian-American science fiction writer known for bizarre narratives.
• Abraham Pais — Historical peer (Died in 2000) (2000): Pioneering physicist and acclaimed science historian of modern physics.
• Ahmed Zaki (actor) — Historical peer (Died in 2005) (2005): Iconic Egyptian actor celebrated for intense dramatic performances and masterful impersonation.
• 1961 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1961
• January 18 (01-18) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 18