Dmitry Ivanovich Fonvizin short biography. Public service. Mature creativity. Disease. Recent years

Denis Ivanovich Fonvizin - Russian writer, playwright, translator, publicist, creator of the national domestic comedy, author of the famous comedy “The Minor.” Fonvizin was born in Moscow on April 14 (April 3, O.S.), 1745, and was the successor of a knightly family that was of Livonian origin and finally Russified. Primary education was received by Denis thanks to his father, who held an official position in the audit board; At home, a patriarchal atmosphere reigned.

Education was continued at the gymnasium at Moscow University, and then at the University itself: Fonvizin during 1759-1762. was a student at the Philosophical University. From 1756 to 1759 he was a member of the troupe of the amateur university theater of M. Kheraskov, and later he played in the professional Public Theater. During his student days, Fonvizin made his debut on literary field- from translation activities. He took up this closely upon his arrival in St. Petersburg in 1760: Fonvizin and his brother arrived in the capital as one of the best high school students.

Fulfilling an order from one of the booksellers, Fonvizin in 1761 translated into Russian the fables of Ludwig Holberg, who wrote in German. In total, he translated more than 200 fables, a novel by the Frenchman Terrason, Voltaire’s tragedy, Ovid’s “Metamorphoses”, etc. Fonvizin considered J.-J. to be his favorite writer. Rousseau. In parallel with his translation work, he began to write essays of a satirical nature.

After graduating from the university, D.I. Fonvizin becomes a translator in a foreign collegium, and from 1763 he is transferred to the service of the State Councilor of the Palace Chancellery I.P. Elagin. By the way, this appointment was facilitated by his pursuit of literature: his translation of Voltaire’s tragedy did not go unnoticed. While working under Elagin, Fonvizin did not give up his translation activities. Getting closer to literary circle Kozlovsky, he created the opening independent work- “Message to my servants Shumilov, Vanka and Petrushka”; in 1764 his first comedy play, Corion, appeared. During 1766-1769. The comedy “The Brigadier” was written and published in 1786. She marked the beginning of the genre of comedy of manners, because... The overwhelming majority of Russian authors created comedies of characters.

The biography period from 1769 to 1782 was associated with the service of Count N.I. Panina; Fonvizin worked as his secretary, and later became his confidant. While in this position, he entered the world big politics, behind-the-scenes games. In 1777, Fonvizin left Russia and lived in France for quite some time, where he tried to understand the processes taking place in this state, while simultaneously thinking about the fate of his homeland, trying to see a path that would allow him to take socio-political life to a new level.

In 1782, Fonvizin had to resign due to the fact that Count Panin fell into disgrace. Based on his ideas, Fonvizin wrote “Discourse on Indispensable State Laws” (1782-1783). This work was intended for the count's pupil, who in the future was to become Emperor Paul, and is considered one of best essays national journalism.

Peak creative achievements Denis Ivanovich’s comedy “The Minor,” written in 1882 and published in 1883, which, like “The Brigadier,” caused a huge public outcry. Belinsky at one time noted that Russian comedy began only with Fonvizin, and his plays are one of the “remarkable phenomena” in the history of Russian literature.

After leaving public service, Fonvizin devoted himself to literature, although his health left much to be desired (the writer had partial paralysis). Catherine the Second largely prevented the implementation of his creative plans, in particular, by imposing a ban on the publication of the magazine “Friend” honest people, or Starodum,” collected works in 5 volumes. During this period of creative activity he created several dramatic works, magazine articles and autobiography (remained unfinished). In 1784 and 1785, Fonvizin went to Italy for treatment, and in 1787 he recovered his noticeably deteriorating health in Vienna. The Fonvizin couple also experienced financial difficulties at this time. Literature classes were actually curtailed. The writer died on December 12 (December 1, O.S.), 1792; He was buried at the Lazarevskoye cemetery of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg.

A. Kokorev

Fonvizin Denis Ivanovich (1745-1792) - a famous Russian writer - came from the Russified Baltic nobles (von-Vizin).

F. spent his childhood in a patriarchal environment in the house of his father, an official of the revision board. He received his education at the university gymnasium and at the Faculty of Philosophy of Moscow University (1759-1762). After graduating from university, F. entered a foreign college as a translator, but already in 1763 he began serving as an official under the cabinet minister Elagin. From 1769 to 1783 F. served with gr. Panina P.I., in the Collegium of Foreign Affairs as a secretary. In 1785 F. suffered from paralysis.

“Friend of Freedom” (Pushkin), F. was an educational humanist of the second half of the 18th century. An admirer of Voltaire, Rousseau, F. was an enemy of autocratic despotism. F. rose to the idea that “it is illegal to oppress one’s own kind through slavery.” Throughout his life, F. carried hostility towards the secular society, the royal court, court nobles, and temporary workers. F. was an enemy of ignorance, a fighter for culture, an admirer of Peter’s reforms, who advocated the assimilation of Western European culture, but at the same time fought against blind imitation of foreign things. F. heard from childhood folk tales, knew folk songs, loved to sing them; His favorite song was a song about the death of a poor man on the road: “Because of the forest, the dark forest.” Fonvizin knew perfectly well folk speech and used it skillfully: Russian vernacular, sharp folk words and sayings gave strength to Fonvizin’s best works.

Literary activity F. began when he was a student at Moscow University. In 1761, he translated Holberg's fables from German, then a number of moralizing satirical works: “The Bargaining of the Seven Muses,” “The Life of Seth, King of Egypt” by Tarrason, “Alzira” by Voltaire, and others. In 1762, F. moved to St. Petersburg and here he developed an intensified literary y activity. He was a regular guest of Kozlovsky's circle. As a result of rapprochement with this circle, F. wrote “Message to the Servants,” in which he revealed religious skepticism and gave a sharp characterization of the clergy. Although F.'s departure from atheistic views was later noticed, he forever remained an enemy of clericalism, religious obscurantism, and all kinds of superstition (see Letters to relatives, 1768). In 1764, F. performed for the first time with an independent dramatic work, with the comedy “Corion” (an adaptation of Gressetov’s “Sydney”). A few years after “Corion,” the social comedy “The Brigadier” appears (written 1766-1769, published 1786).

“Russian comedy began long before Fonvizin, but began only with Fonvizin: his “Brigadier” and “Unorosl” made a terrible noise when they appeared and will forever remain in the history of Russian literature as one of the most remarkable phenomena,” wrote Belinsky. F. gave very vividly the types of contemporary noble society, gave vivid pictures of everyday life, although the comedy “The Brigadier” was built according to old classical models (the unity of place and time, a sharp division of characters into positive and negative, and a 5-act composition of the play were observed).

In the development of action, F. followed French classical theory; he studied the delineation of characters from Moliere, Golberg, Detouches, and Scarron; impetus for the creation of comedy national themes was given by Lukin (his comedy “The Mot, Corrected by Love” and his critical remarks about the need to write comedies “in our morals”).

In 1882, F.’s second comedy “The Minor” was written and published in 1883 - the culmination point in the development of F.’s creativity - “the work of a strong, sharp mind, a gifted person” (Belinsky). In his comedy, F. responded to all those questions that worried the most progressive people of that time. State and social system, civic duties of a member of society, serfdom, family, marriage, raising children - these are the range of issues posed in “Nedorosl”. F. answered these questions from the most advanced positions for his time.

F. was the closest predecessor of Pushkin and Gogol in this regard. The vitality and typicality of the Skotinins, Mitrofanushki, and Prostakovs were noted more than once in later Russian literature: at the Larins’ ball the “Skotinins’ gray-haired couple” performs; Lermontov in “The Treasurer” shows “the times of the latest Mitrofan”; Arina Petrovna Golovleva is undoubtedly a direct descendant of Prostakova.

Realistic depiction characters contributed greatly to the distinct individualization of the characters' language. Positive heroes“Undergrowth”, reasoners are schematic, they are little individualized. However, in the remarks of the reasoners we hear the voice of the most advanced people of the 18th century. In reasoners and virtuous people we hear the voice of smart and well-intentioned people of that time - their concepts and way of thinking.

When creating his comedy, F. used a huge number of sources: articles from the best satirical magazines of the 70s, and works of contemporary Russian literature (works by Lukin, Chulkov, Emin, etc.), and works of English and French literature XVII-XVIII centuries (Voltaire, Rousseau, Duclos, La Bruyère, etc.), but at the same time F. remained completely independent.

In the comedy "The Minor" F. was largely freed from the rules of the French classic comedy. In comedy, however, the unity of place and time is observed, there are reasoners, but the development of the action takes place in a new way, the methods of depicting the characters are different. F. gives a comprehensive description of the characters, gives typical characters in a certain historical setting. F. brought into comedy a significant number of people from the “lower classes” (Trishka, Eremeevna, teachers), and they were given in a new way, not for the amusement of listeners, as was the case in the French classical comedy; on the contrary, he shows them on stage in order to evoke either sympathy for them (Eremeevna, Trishka, Tsifirkin) or a negative attitude (Vralman, Kuteikin). The original version of F.’s comedy “The Minor” (70s) speaks of F.’s long, hard work on it. This version contains a number of morally descriptive pictures, without socio-political emphasis and in its nature is closer to “The Brigadier” than to “The Minor.” In 1783, F. took an active part in the magazine “Interlocutor”, published in it “The Experience of a Russian Estates Member”, “Petition to the Russian Minerva from Russian writers", "Questions to the writer of tales and fables", "Teaching spoken on Spiritual Day." In addition, F. was preparing the “General Court Grammar” for publication. In his “bold questions” (Dobrolyubov), F. gave the author of “Facts and Fables” harsh criticism contemporary state orders and social vices: favoritism at court, the moral decline of the nobility, etc. F.’s bold questions caused Catherine great dissatisfaction.

IN last decade During her reign, Catherine II openly followed the path of cruel reaction, of which F. became a victim. Despite serious illness, F. was eager for activity. In 1788, he decided to publish the magazine “Starodum”, received permission and began to prepare material, but by order of Catherine the magazine was banned. Shortly before his death, F. asked Catherine for permission to publish a translation of Tacitus, but permission was not given.

The materials intended by Fonvizin for publication in the Starodum magazine give us reason to assert that Fonvizin remained faithful to progressive views until the end of his life.

The literary heritage of the last period of F.'s activity consists of ch. arr. from articles for the magazine (Vzyatkin’s Letter, Starodum’s Letter, General Court Grammar, etc.) and from dramatic works - the comedy “The Tutor’s Choice” and the dramatic feuilleton “Conversation with Princess Khaldina.” In addition, F. spent the last years of his life working on an autobiography

“Finest Confession” (remained unfinished). In his satirical articles, F. castigated the morals of the court nobility, bribery of officials, cruelty of landowners, etc. In “Conversation with Princess Khaldina” creative genius F. manifested himself with especially great force. A. S. Pushkin highly valued this dramatic miniature by F. “After reading “A Conversation with Princess Khaldina,” Pushkin wrote, “you will involuntarily regret that it was not Fonvizin who got to depict our latest morals.”

Best works F. vividly and truthfully reflected life, awakened minds and helped the people fight to change their difficult situation.

References

I. Complete collection essays edited by Pl. P. Beketova, 4 hours, M., 1830

the same, ed. 2, M., 1838

Works, ed. A. Smirdina, St. Petersburg, 1846 (same, ed. 2, St. Petersburg, 1847

the same, ed. 3, St. Petersburg, 1852)

Selected Works(Collected works of Russian writers, published by P. Perevlessky, issue 4), St. Petersburg, 1858

Works, letters and selected translations, ed. P. A. Efremov, with an introductory article by A. P. Pyatkovsky, ed. I. I. Glazunov, St. Petersburg, 1866 (best edition, attached bibliography of works, letters and translations of F. and articles about him)

The first complete collection of works, both original and translated

ed. K. K. Shamova, 1888

Complete collection of original works, ed. A. I. Vvedensky, ed. A. F. Marx, St. Petersburg, 1893

Tikhonravov N. S., academician, Materials for the complete works of D. I. Fonvizin, St. Petersburg, 1894

Early comedy by D. I. Fonvizin, publication by G. Korovin, “Literary Heritage”, 9-10, M., 1933.

II. Vyazemsky P., Fonvizin, St. Petersburg, 1848 (the same in the Complete collected works of P. Vyazemsky, vol. V, St. Petersburg, 1880)

Belinsky V., Complete Works, ed. S. A. Vengerova, vol. I, St. Petersburg, 1900, pp. 340-341

vol. VII, St. Petersburg, 1904, pp. 15-16 and 412

Chernyshevsky N., Complete Works, volume X, part 2, St. Petersburg, 1906, pp. 1-20 (article “On the “Brigadier”” by von-Vizin)

Dobrolyubov N., Complete Works, vol. I, GIHL, 1934 (article “Interlocutor of lovers of the Russian word”)

His, Complete Works, vol. II, GIHL, 1935 (article “Russian satire in the age of Catherine”)

Grytsko (Essays on the history of Russian literature based on modern research, “Contemporary”, 1865, Nos. 10 and 11, 1866, No. 1 (Grytsko - pseudonym of G. Z. Eliseev))

Shashkov S.S., Von-Vizin and his time, “Delo”, 1879, No. 7, 8 and 10

Yazykov D., “Minor” on stage and in literature”, “Historical Bulletin”, 1882, No. 10

Veselovsky Alexey, Sketches and Characteristics, M., 1894

the same, ed. 4, volume I, M., 1912 (article “In Memory of Fonvizin”)

Klyuchevsky V., “Minor” by Fonvizin, “Art and Science”, 1896, No. 1 (same in the book: Klyuchevsky V., Essays and Speeches (second collection of articles), M., 1913

the same, II, 1918)

Istomin V., Main features language and syllable of Den's works. Iv. von Vizina, “Russian Philological Bulletin”, 1897, vol. XXXVIII, No. 3-4

Tikhonravov N., Works, vol. III, part 1, ed. M. and S. Sabashnikov, M., 1898 (article “D. I. Von-Vizin”)

Pypin A.N., History of Russian literature, vol. IV, St. Petersburg, 1899 (same

ed. 4, St. Petersburg, 1913

Russian Biographical Dictionary, volume “Faber - Tsyavlovsky”, St. Petersburg, 1901 (article “Fonvizin” by I. N. Zhdanov

the same in the book: Zhdanov I.N., Works, volume II, ed. Department of Russian Language and Literature of the Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, 1907

Sakulin P., Russian literature, part 2, M., 1929 (according to the index)

Gukovsky G., “Minor” by Fonvizin, “Russian language and literature in high school", 1935, No. 1

His, Essays on Russian history literature XVIII century (Noble Fronde in the literature of the 1750s - 1760s), ed. Academy of Sciences, M. - L., 1936

Encyclopedic Dictionary Russian Bibliographical Institute Granat, seventh edition, volume 44, M., no year (article “Fonvizin” by G. Gukovsky).

III. Fonvizin D., Works, letters and selected translations, ed. P. A. Efremova, ed. I. I. Glazunova, St. Petersburg, 1866

Mezier A.V., Russian literature from XI to XIX century inclusive, part II, St. Petersburg, 1902, pp. 437-439 and 627.

Date of birth: April 14, 1744.
Date of death: December 12, 1792.
Place of birth: Moscow.

Fonvizin D.I. - great writer. Denis Ivanovich Fonvizin born April 14, 1744 in Moscow. The famous great writer, playwright and expert on Russian life, who managed to transfer it in a comedic form to the stage and literature, died on December 1, 1792, having lived long life and leaving Russia a huge cultural heritage, which is difficult to overestimate.

Childhood years:

Denis Ivanovich spent his childhood in a very patriarchal environment; his father, Ivan Andreevich, was a famous nobleman, close to many famous politicians, as well as a respected and responsible official of the revision board. The roots of his family go back to the distant past; back in the Middle Ages, his ancestors firmly settled at the court of Ivan the Terrible; they themselves came from Livonia.

This family was known in Rus' for excellent servants To the Russian state in a variety of management positions. The surname itself was distorted over time; initially it had the spelling vonWiesen and many researchers for a long time used a separate spelling or the spelling Von-Wiesin, but at the end of the 19th century, researcher N.S. Tikhonravov established the modern spelling of the writer’s surname.

Fonvizin’s education was comprehensive, already in early childhood His home education was of the highest class; he continued his studies at a noble gymnasium, from where he could eventually enter the philosophy department of the university, but in 1760 he and his brother went to St. Petersburg as the best students. During the same period he actively participated in student life and even plays in Kheraskov’s amateur theater. After graduating from high school, he became interested in literature and published in Moscow magazines.

Early life and years in St. Petersburg:

In 1762, Denis Ivanovich finally moved to St. Petersburg, where he worked as a translator at the College of Foreign Affairs. Until 1769, he served as secretary under I. Elagin, who was in charge of petitions to the emperor himself. The young official's passion for literature and charisma soon made him an active participant in the work of the imperial theaters, which Elagin was also in charge of.

At the end of the 60s, Denis Ivanovich’s liberal views of the young writer brought him together with a small group of Kozlovsky’s officers; under the impression of new ideas, the first satirical poem “Message to My Servants...” was written, which was published in 1769 and quickly spread among young people .

His passion for theater did not leave him. He actively translated various foreign comedies for production in Russia back in student years, but now he tried to write on his own. In 1769, the small comedy “Brigadier” was released, which N. Novikov himself appreciated. It was shown in theaters in 1770, but only twenty-two years later it became available for printing. Unfortunately, the author himself no longer saw printed edition his first successful comedy.

Something else happened in the year “Brigadier” was written. significant event: N. Panin became the tutor of the heir to the throne and left his post as secretary of the head of the College of Foreign Affairs. There was no change in the liberal views of officials. The newly appointed Secretary Fonvizin also believed that the country needed immediate changes to the legal system at a fundamental level.

Work abroad:

In 1777-1778, Fonvizin traveled through Germany and France. His impressions from this trip were reflected in the "Notes of the First Traveler", which became one of cornerstones in the process of changing the appearance of Russian prose during this period. One of the reasons for this trip was the long-term illness of the writer’s wife.

In 1782, he received a resignation from his government post, and therefore could use his free time to further expand his cultural horizons. In 1784 he went to Italy and Germany; in Europe, his work “The Life of Count Nikita Ivanovich Panin” was published on French. However, the main reason for the trip was treatment for paralysis.

Creativity in recent years:

After the Pugachev uprising, liberal views throughout Russia were under severe pressure, and therefore it is surprising that, surrounded by police and censorship control, he managed to write his famous work"Undergrown." In March 1782, N. Panin was decisively removed from his post due to oppositional sentiments.

It was during this period that Fonvizin himself decided to resign in order to concentrate on his literary career. Impressed by Panin’s actions, he wrote his “Discourse on Indispensable State Laws,” which contained a huge amount of criticism of the autocracy and was later used by the Decembrists as propaganda for their own ideas.

The political confrontation between Princess Dashkova and the Empress became the reason huge amount Fonvizin’s publications in the then popular liberal magazine “Interlocutor of the Russian Word”. Dashkova was not only the owner of the magazine, but also the editor-in-chief. It was in this magazine that they saw the light satirical works Fonvizin, “The Experience of a Russian Estates Member,” “The Narrative of an Imaginary Deaf and Mute” and others.

The Empress reacted very harshly to this. Fonvizin was forbidden to publish, and his five-volume work with several dozen works was lost to subsequent generations, although it was almost ready for publication.

During that period, his works were distributed furtively, almost like revolutionary propaganda. In the late 80s, paralysis paralyzed famous writer, he was practically tied to bed, but still actively working. It was at this moment that he wrote the famous “Frank Confession of My Deeds and Thoughts,” which, unfortunately, he did not finish. He died on December 1, 1972 and rests in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra.

Important achievements of Denis Fonvizin:

Many researchers consider Fonvizin a fundamentalist of Russian everyday comedy
- Satirically depicted the morals of the contemporary nobility, describing in the comedy “Brigadier” the love for everything French
- Managed to vividly and humorously describe the negative aspects of serfdom, ridiculing the patriarchal system of noble education in “Nedorosl”
- Changed Russian prose by publishing “Notes of the First Traveler”

Major milestones in the life of Denis Fonvizin:

Born 1744
- Studied at the gymnasium at Moscow University from 1755 to 1760
- Final move to St. Petersburg in 1762
- Work as Elagin's secretary from 1763 to 1769
- Publication of the comedy "Corion" in 1764
- Completion of work on the comedy “The Brigadier” in 1769 and writing the famous poem “Message to My Servants...”
- Staging the play "The Brigadier" in theaters in 1770
- Travel through France and Germany in 1777-1778
- Staging the play "The Minor" in 1782
- Publications in Dashkova’s magazine in 1783
- Travel through Italy and Germany in 1784-1785
- Death in 1792 Currently watching: (module Currently watching:)

Denis Ivanovich Fonvizin is a Russian writer and publicist, playwright and translator during the reign of Catherine the Great, the founder of everyday comedy, who worked in such literary direction like classicism. The life and work of this man made an invaluable contribution to the development of Russian literature.

Denis Ivanovich Fonvizin was born on April 3, 1745 and grew up in a noble family in Moscow. His family went back to German roots, so his surname is a Russian variation of the German name Von Wisin.

Initially, future genius received home education, and then was enrolled in the list of students of the Faculty of Philosophy of Moscow University. Afterwards, for his services in the literary field, he will be sent to St. Petersburg, where he met such iconic figures of the state as Lomonosov and Sumarokov.

Creative path: a success story

The first works began to appear already in 1760. The writer began with translations, which were published periodically. The first landmark publication was in the form of an early version of the famous play “The Minor.” Later, by 1781, the completed play will be staged on the stage of St. Petersburg, and two years later it will occupy the stages of Moscow. 8 years later, from the pen of the classicist, a comedy with a satirical orientation called “The Brigadier” came out, which elevated Fonvizin as a writer and was honored to be read before the empress herself in her Peterhof summer house.

Like many writers, Fonvizin spent a lot of time abroad, in particular in France. His work as an adviser to the chancellery is accompanied by writing large quantity journalistic texts, for example, “Discourse on the Indispensable Laws of State,” as well as work on translations that allowed the Russian reader to become acquainted with the works of Rousseau, Ovid and even Walter.

Personal life

Little is known about the writer’s personal life. His wife's name was Katerina Ivanovna Rogovikova, she was from the family of a wealthy merchant. There is no mention of children in his biography.

It is only known that he was an exemplary family man, therefore all his works are edifying in nature. In matters of family and marriage, he was categorical: a woman is decorated with fidelity, piety and education, and a man is decorated with virtue, strength and wisdom.

Last years of life

In the last years of his life, spending time traveling abroad in Europe, the writer encountered a disease that was too tough for the medicine of those years. The first apoplectic gift will suffice him, because of which he will be forced to return to Russia.

Suffering from paralysis, the author will continue to study creative activity. Main work, left by him and written in last days life is autobiographical work"Frank confession." The writer died on December 1, 1792 in St. Petersburg and was buried at the Lazarevskoye cemetery.

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Date of birth: April 14, 1744
Date of death: December 12, 1792
Place of birth: Moscow

Fonvizin D.I.- a great writer. Denis Ivanovich Fonvizin born April 14, 1744 in Moscow. The famous great writer, playwright and expert on Russian life, who managed to transfer it in a comedic form to the stage and into literature, died on December 1, 1792, having lived a long life and leaving Russia a huge cultural heritage that is difficult to overestimate.

Childhood years:

This family was known in Rus' for excellent servants of the Russian state in a variety of managerial positions. The surname itself was distorted over time; initially it had the spelling vonWiesen and many researchers for a long time used a separate spelling or the spelling Von-Wiesin, but at the end of the 19th century, researcher N.S. Tikhonravov established the modern spelling of the writer’s surname.

Fonvizin’s education was comprehensive, already in his early childhood his home education was of the highest class, he continued his studies at a noble gymnasium, from where he could eventually enter the philosophy department of the university, but in 1760 he and his brother went to St. Petersburg as the best students. During the same period, he actively participated in student life and even played in Kheraskov’s amateur theater. After graduating from high school, he became interested in literature and published in Moscow magazines.

Early life and years in St. Petersburg:

His passion for theater did not leave him. He actively translated various foreign comedies for production in Russia during his student years, but now he tried to write on his own. In 1769, the small comedy “Brigadier” was released, which N. Novikov himself appreciated. It was shown in theaters in 1770, but only twenty-two years later it became available for printing. Unfortunately, the author himself never saw the printed edition of his first successful comedy.

In the year “Brigadier” was written, another significant event happened: N. Panin became the tutor of the heir to the throne and left his post as secretary of the head of the College of Foreign Affairs. There was no change in the liberal views of officials. The newly appointed Secretary Fonvizin also believed that the country needed immediate changes to the legal system at a fundamental level.

Work abroad:

In 1777-1778, Fonvizin traveled through Germany and France. His impressions from this trip were reflected in the “Notes of the First Traveler,” which became one of the cornerstones in the process of changing the appearance of Russian prose during this period. One of the reasons for this trip was the long-term illness of the writer’s wife.

In 1782, he received a resignation from his government post, and therefore could use his free time to further expand his cultural horizons. In 1784, he went to Italy and Germany; in Europe, his work “The Life of Count Nikita Ivanovich Panin” was published in French. However, the main reason for the trip was treatment for paralysis.

Creativity in recent years:

After the Pugachev uprising, liberal views throughout Russia were under severe pressure, and therefore it is surprising that, surrounded by police and censorship control, he managed to write his most famous work, “The Minor.” In March 1782, N. Panin was decisively removed from his post due to oppositional sentiments.

The political confrontation between Princess Dashkova and the Empress became the reason for a huge number of publications by Fonvizin in the then popular liberal magazine “Interlocutor of the Russian Word”. Dashkova was not only the owner of the magazine, but also the editor-in-chief. It was in this magazine that Fonvizin’s satirical works, “The Experience of a Russian Estates Member,” “The Narrative of an Imaginary Deaf and Mute,” and others were published.

During that period, his works were distributed furtively, almost like revolutionary propaganda. In the late 80s, the famous writer was paralyzed; he was practically tied to his bed, but still actively worked. It was at this moment that he wrote the famous “Frank Confession of My Deeds and Thoughts,” which, unfortunately, he did not finish. He died on December 1, 1972 and rests in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra.

Important achievements of Denis Fonvizin:

Major milestones in the life of Denis Fonvizin:

Interesting facts from the biography of Denis Fonvizin:

The essay "The Eighth Century" contains full text satirical poem "Message to my servants...", but does not have a link to the author
- Prince G. A. Potemkin-Tavrichesky after the premiere of “The Minor” turned to Fonvizin with the words: “Die, Denis, or don’t write anything else: you won’t create anything better than this play.”
- In the story by N.V. Gogol's "The Night Before Christmas" Fonvizin is present as an unnamed character.