Afanasy Afanasevich Fet is a famous Russian poet and poet. His work is popular not only among lovers of poetry, based on his poems created a lot of romances.
Now the poet’s works are highly rated, they are considered the peak of Russian lyrics, but this was not always the case. During his life, Afanasy Afanasevich could not enjoy the recognition.
This man’s life was full of difficulties, failure seemed to haunt Fet from childhood. He sought solace in creativity. His poems are riddled with optimism. By the way, this is a great way to cheer up. The poet saw positive aspects in everything: the beauty of nature, female attractiveness, feelings, emotions, dreams and memories.
If you like the work of Afanasy Afanasevich, pay attention to our article. Below is a ranking of 10 interesting facts from the life and biography of Fet.
10. Had a surname Shenshin
Fet was born into a wealthy family. His father, Athanasius Neofitovich, belonged to the landowner family of the Shenshin, who owned most of Mtsensk district.
Mother - German Charlotte Elizabeth Fet. Shenshin met her in Germany, feelings flared up. Athanasius Neofitovich was not embarrassed by the fact that she had already been married. He adopted her daughter from her first marriage. The lovers got married in Germany. Soon they had a son - Athanasius. Until the age of 14, he bore the name of his father - Shenshin.
9. Lost the title of nobleman
When young Fet reached the age of 14, it turned out that the marriage between Athanasius and Charlotte was concluded after his birth. This was contrary to the rules of the Orthodox Church. The ceremony held in Germany in Russia did not have any power at all. The marriage was recognized as unofficial, the teenager was deprived of the noble title, inheritance and surname.
Young Athanasius was recorded on the first husband of his mother Johann Fet. These events had a great influence on the personality of the poet. He had a goal - to become a nobleman again. For this, Fet had to work hard, having received an education, he began to "earnestly serve."
Interesting fact: according to some reports, the real father of the poet was not Shenshin Athanasius, but Johann Fet. A romance between Charlotte and the Russian landowner broke out when she was expecting a second child. Lovers secretly fled from Germany.
8. He graduated from the historical and philological faculty of Moscow University
Fet lost everything. His father did not take any action, although he could do something for his son. He could only rely on himself. The first thing the young man decided to get a decent education.
While Fet was small, he studied at home. Then he studied in Germany in a private boarding house for two years, two more in Russia, at the institution of Mikhail Pogodin.
At 18, he entered the law faculty of Moscow University. At this time, he wrote his first poems and realized that he had chosen the wrong direction. Fet transferred to the Faculty of History and Philology, which he successfully completed in 1844.
7. Suffered from depressive disorders
Fet's mother had some psychological problems, she regularly suffered from melancholy moods. There is evidence that the psyche of relatives was also not all right. Sister and brothers were prone to bouts of insanity.
Fet himself suffered from depressive disorders, especially during his student years.. He did not know what he was living for; everything bothered him. Sharp mood swings, prolonged depression accompanied him all his life.
Fet was not equal in his ability to “mourn”. In addition, he was very afraid of mental illness. This became his phobia, an obsession. He did not want to go to the mental hospital. Apparently, these fears were not unfounded, many of his relatives went there as patients.
6. Was a close friend of Leo Tolstoy
Afanasy Afanasevich was friends with Lev Nikolaevich. Their interests and worldviews coincided, in the face of each other they found like-minded people. Creative people, they did not want to put up with what was happening. They did not like reality, the time in which it was destined to be born.
5. I didn’t follow my feelings
Afanasy Afanasevich was in love with Maria Lazic, the daughter of a poor landowner. At that time, Fet also could not boast of his financial situation. The feelings were mutual.
Mary was waiting for a marriage proposal, but Fet did not see anything good in this union. Two poor people, what happiness can we talk about? He understood that he could not give Mary anything but his love. This was not enough for him, he was afraid that hopelessness and material difficulties would kill their feelings.
Soon the girl died. The cause of her death was numerous burns - the dress caught fire. Fet for the rest of his life considered himself guilty of her death.
4. Married by calculation
Fet was going through hard times: money problems, lack of title, unhappy love. Apparently, he was a pragmatic person and quickly found a way out - to marry by calculation.
His chosen one was the sister of a literary critic. Maria Petrovna Botkina had an unattractive appearance and, by the standards of that time, was old for marriage. Afanasy Afanasevich did not attach importance to such trifles, a profitable dowry interested him much more. Maria Petrovna agreed, they soon got married.
It was a great party for Fet and not just for the money. A calm, sensible woman was in love with another man, but gave a chance to her "fan". So two broken hearts connected.
It was not necessary to talk about ardent feelings, but their relationship was full of harmony. Maria was a faithful friend and a good hostess. It was such a woman that Fet needed.
3. had no children
Afanasy Afanasevich and Maria Petrovna did not have children. Botkina at the time of marriage was 28 years old, perhaps the reason for this. At that time it was considered old, and medicine was on a completely different level.
According to some reports, Maria Petrovna had a son from her former lover. There was a tragic love story, but the information does not have official confirmation.
2. Opened a hospital for poor peasants
After the wedding, Fet bought a large estate and became interested in its arrangement. He opened a hospital for the poor peasants and a stud farm. Many regarded this act as a betrayal, a betrayal of literature, but the poet himself did not think so. He talked about the fact that his works do not interest anyone, therefore it is better to bring practical benefits to people.
Having become a rich man, Fet began to engage in charity on a regular basis, but even this did not bring him happiness. Afanasy Afanasevich was constantly dissatisfied with himself. He dreamed of well-being, it turned out that even money is not able to make a person truly happy.
1. Did not live two days before the 72th birthday
Before his death, the poet was very ill. Bronchitis, pneumonia, even asthma attacks. On that day, the poet demanded champagne, while he was not allowed to drink alcohol.
It is not known what happened, but Afanasy Afanasyevich tried to commit suicide. He abruptly got out of bed, grabbed a knife and fell. Heart attack.
At the moment, there are many versions, most of which feature this ill-fated drink. All this is nothing more than fiction. Fet's body was exhausted by a long illness, he did not live up to his 72th birthday in just 2 days.