Birthdate: 29th January 1860
Nationality: Russian
Bio:
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov was born on January 29, 1860 in Taganrog, Russia. He was the third of six surviving children. Chekhov’s father was a grocer and devout Orthodox Christian, and he expected his children to adhere strictly to the church. However, even from a young age Chekhov showed signs of skepticism and independence of thought. After graduating from high school, he left Taganrog for Moscow to study medicine.
In Moscow, Chekhov attended the medical school at the University of Moscow and supported himself through his writing. He wrote humorous sketches and vignettes under pseudonyms for popular magazines. His writing brought him both financial success and acclaim, though he continued his medical career as well. In 1884, Chekhov graduated as a physician and went on to practice medicine for the rest of his life, even as his writing career took off. He treated patients in rural areas experiencing epidemics and became known for his compassion.
By the 1890s, Chekhov had gained widespread recognition as a serious writer in addition to his reputation as a humorist. He experimented with new dramatic forms that replaced conventional plot structures with artistic principles of suggestion and atmosphere. His most famous plays include The Seagull, Uncle Vanya, and The Three Sisters, which established him as a leading figure of the modern Russian theater. Though he continued to write short stories throughout this time as well, Chekhov’s focus shifted more to drama in his later years.
In 1904, Chekhov’s health declined rapidly as he suffered from tuberculosis. He traveled to the warmer climate of Yalta in the Crimean peninsula, but his condition continued to deteriorate. On July 15, 1904 at the young age of 44, Anton Chekhov passed away in his dacha in Yalta. He is considered one of the most important writers in Russian literature for revolutionizing theatrical techniques and establishing the modern short story. His works have had enormous influence on 20th century authors and playwrights. Chekhov’s life was cut short but his writing legacy has endured.
