Leo Tolstoy

Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) was a renowned Russian novelist, playwright, and philosopher, best known for his epic works "War and Peace" and "Anna Karenina". Born into an aristocratic family on September 9, 1828, at the family estate of Yasnaya Polyana, he was the fourth of five children. Tolstoy's early life was marked by the death of his parents, after which he was raised by relatives. He attended Kazan University but left without completing his studies.

Tolstoy's experience as an army officer during the Crimean War profoundly impacted his views on human nature and society. His early works, such as "Childhood", "Boyhood", and "Youth", were well-received, but it was his later masterpieces that cemented his legacy. "War and Peace" (1869) offered a panoramic view of Russian society during the Napoleonic Wars, while "Anna Karenina" (1877) delved into the complexities of family and fidelity.

In his later years, Tolstoy experienced a profound spiritual and philosophical crisis, leading him to adopt a form of Christian anarchism. He championed non-violent resistance and rejected institutionalized religion, wealth, and private property. Tolstoy's ideas influenced figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. He died at the age of 82 on November 20, 1910, leaving behind a vast literary and philosophical heritage.