150th Birth Anniversary of Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910)

Leo Tolstoy was born on September 9, 1828, near Moscow in Tula Province, into an aristocratic family. His childhood was marked by loneliness, as both his parents died early. At 16, he enrolled at the University of Kazan, but disillusioned with its formal education, he returned to Yasnaya Polyana to manage his family estate and pursue self-directed learning, with little success in either endeavor.

Seeking purpose, Tolstoy joined the army and served in the Crimean War, during which he wrote some early literary works that garnered acclaim. After the war, he settled in St. Petersburg, where he became a prominent figure in literary circles. However, disillusioned with the city’s glamour, he retreated to the rural tranquility of Yasnaya Polyana.

Tolstoy traveled to Western Europe in 1857 and again in 1860-61, during which he explored educational reforms for the peasantry. In 1862, he married Sonya Andreevna Bers, with whom he had thirteen children. It was during this period, spent at Yasnaya Polyana, that he produced his two masterpieces, “War and Peace” (1863-69) and “Anna Karenina” (1873-77).

Tolstoy possessed a multifaceted personality and creative genius, earning universal acclaim as one of the greatest fiction writers in the world. He was deeply troubled by societal inequalities and envisioned a future free from oppression and fear through moral and spiritual evolution. His views on history, non-violence, education, and art held universal relevance, attracting admirers worldwide, including Mahatma Gandhi.

Tolstoy passed away on November 20, 1910, leaving behind a legacy of literary brilliance and humanitarian ideals that continue to inspire generations.