History’s Great Writers — Fyodor Dostoevsky: The Man Who Peered into the Human Soul
A life filled with hardship, controversy, and literary triumph.
Fyodor Dostoevsky (born 1921 in Moscow) lived a life filled with hardship, controversy, and ultimately, literary triumph. His novels offer insights into human nature and the human mind.
Dostoevsky’s early life was marked by tragedy. He lost his mother at the age of 15 and his father just two years later. These losses shaped his worldview and influenced his writing. He attended the St. Petersburg Academy of Military Engineering, but dreamed of becoming a writer.
Dostoevsky struggled with epilepsy and gambling addiction. He married twice and had four children, two of whom died young. These personal struggles found their way into his work, adding authenticity to his characters.
In 1846, Dostoevsky published “Poor Folk.” He became a rising star in literary circles. In 1849, he was arrested for his involvement with a group of liberal intellectuals. Sentenced to death, at the last moment this was commuted to four years of hard labor in Siberia.
