Gavrila Derzhavin

In this article, the patronymic is Romanovich and the family name is Derzhavin.

Gavrila Romanovich Derzhavin
Gavrila Derzhavin by Vladimir Borovikovsky
Born	Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin (1743-07-14)14 July 1743 Laishevsky Uyezd, Kazan Governorate, Russian Empire
Died	20 July 1816(1816-07-20) (aged 73) Zvanka manor, Novgorod Governorate, Russian Empire
Occupation	Poet, statesman
Period	Neoclassicism
Signature

Gavriil (Gavrila) Romanovich Derzhavin (Russian: Гаврии́л (Гаври́ла) Рома́нович Держа́вин, IPA: [ɡɐˈvrilə rɐˈmanəvʲɪtɕ dʲɪrˈʐavʲɪn] (listen); 14 July 1743 – 20 July 1816) was one of the most important Russian poets before Alexander Pushkin. He was also a statesman. His works are usually thought to be literary classicism. However, his best verses have many antitheses and conflicting sounds. This writing is similar to John Donne's works and other metaphysical poets.

Works

Engraving of Derzhavin by Fyodor Iordan

Derzhavin is remembered most for his odes. He did not pay attention to genres, which were common in odes at the time. He would use humor, satire, and elegy in his odes. For example, in his grand ode to the Empress, he says that he searches for fleas in his wife's hair. He also compares his own poetry with lemonade.

Unlike other Classicist poets, Derzhavin chose his details carefully. For example, he wrote the colour of the wallpaper. He thought that the French language was about harmony, while Russian was about conflict. He sometimes used alliterations. However, he sometimes purposefully used the cacophonous effect in his writings.

References

1993 Russian 1 rouble coin celebrating the 250th anniversary of Derzhavin's birth

Other websites

• Works by Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin at Project Gutenberg
• Collection of Poems by Gavrila Derzhavin (English Translations)
• Illustrated timeline Archived 2010-06-20 at the Wayback Machine
• Acrostic - How Mighty Time Strives Like A River (English Translation)
• Luba Golburt, "Derzhavin's monuments: Sculpture, Poetry, and the Materiality of History", Toronto Slavic Quarterly 13, Summer 2005, retrieved 23 October 2006.