Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky was a Russian novelist, short story writer, essayist, and philosopher. Born on November 11, 1821, in Moscow, he is considered one of the greatest literary figures in the world. His works explore human psychology in the troubled political, social, and spiritual contexts of 19th-century Russia, often focusing on themes of existentialism, morality, and the human condition.
Dostoevsky was born into a family with a strong medical background; his father was a physician at the Mariinsky Hospital for the Poor. His mother died when he was young, and his father sent him to the Saint Petersburg Academy of Military Engineering. His father's death, under mysterious circumstances, deeply affected him, influencing his later themes of guilt, redemption, and punishment.
Dostoevsky's works are imbued with his Orthodox Christian beliefs, though he often explored themes of atheism, existentialism, and the search for God. His characters frequently grapple with moral dilemmas, reflecting his own concerns about the nature of good and evil.
Dostoevsky's life was marked by personal tragedy, financial instability, and health issues, including epilepsy. He married twice; his second marriage to Anna Snitkina, who was 25 years his junior, was relatively happy, and she became his literary assistant, helping manage his literary estate after his death.
Dostoevsky died on January 28, 1881, in Saint Petersburg. His funeral attracted thousands, underscoring his immense popularity. His influence on literature, philosophy, and psychology is profound, with many of his themes and characters still studied today: