Boris Leonidovich Pasternak (Борис Леонидович Пастернак) (February 10, 1890 – May 30, 1960) was a Russian poet, writer best known in the West for his epic novel Doctor Zhivago, a tragedy whose events span the last period of Czarist Russia and the early days of the Soviet Union, and first published in Italy (in translation) in 1957. It is as a poet, however, that he is most celebrated in Russia. My Sister Life, written by Pasternak in 1917, is arguably the most influential collection of poetry published in Russian in the 20th century.

Early life

---

Pasternak was born in Moscow on February 10 (Gregorian), 1890 (Julian January 29). His parents were a prominent Jewish painter Leonid Pasternak, professor at the Moscow School of Painting, who converted to Orthodox Christianity, and Rosa Kaufman, a popular concert pianist. Pasternak was brought up in a cosmopolitan atmosphere, his father's home being visited by Sergei Rachmaninoff, Rainer Maria Rilke, and Leo Tolstoy. His father's conversion naturally affected Pasternak deeply, and many of his later poems hold overtly Christian themes.

Inspired by his neighbour Alexander Scriabin, Pasternak resolved to become a composer and entered the Moscow Conservatory. In 1910, he abruptly left the conservatory for the University of Marburg, where he studied under Neo-Kantian philosophers Hermann Cohen and Nicolai Hartmann. Although invited to become a scholar, he decided against philosophy as a profession and returned to Moscow in 1914. His first collection of poetry, influenced by Alexander Blok and the Russian Futurists, was published later that year.

More on [ Boris Pasternak ]

NPR Topics: Authors

Lowry Spins Mischievous Tale Of 'The Willoughbys'
Sun, 06 Jul 2008 11:51:00 -0400
The Willoughbys is a wickedly wonderful story by award-winning writer Lois Lowry. The book tells the tale of a mother and father who want to be rid of their children, but whose kids also want to be rid of their parents.
Ambitions, Tragedy Collide In 'America America'
Sat, 05 Jul 2008 12:24:00 -0400
After a seven-year absence, author Ethan Canin returns with America America, a novel that explores power and influence in politics past.
Celebrating The Fourth With Rebellion
Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:34:00 -0400
From the moment Huckleberry Finn sat on his raft and decided, "All right, then, I'll go to hell," great American books have featured people setting off on their own. Washington, D.C., writer, teacher and musician Will Layman offers three books about rebellion.
Welsh Awards Snafu Leaves Red Faces
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:41:00 -0400
Welsh Assembly Culture Minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas has apologized for naming the wrong person winner of the Wales Book of the Year. He named Tom Bullough, who briefly thought he had won. Dannie Abse was the actual winner. Thomas apologized to both.
Who Wrote Shakespeare's Plays? Debate Goes On
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:01:00 -0400
Centuries later, doubts persist that William Shakespeare penned the works that bear his name. Skeptics include not only scholars but also famous folks, ranging from Orson Welles to Mark Twain.
'Netherland' Flirts With Greatness Of 'Gatsby'
Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:53:00 -0400
With plenty of nods to The Great Gatsby Joseph O'Neill's Netherland explores dreams and ambition in post-Sept. 11 New York City. Maureen Corrigan calls the novel "marvelous."

Subscribe to Authors RSS feed