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The subject index / Free Society of Lovers of Russian Literature, Literary and Social Organization

Free Society of Lovers of Russian Literature, Literary and Social Organization


Categories / Literature. Book Publishing/Salons, Circles, Creative Associations and Unions

FREE SOCIETY OF LOVERS OF RUSSIAN LITERATURE (VOLRS; Society of the Competitive, from 1819, it was also known as the Professional Republic), literary and social organization in 1816-25. From the moment of its foundation it was concerned about civil and social problems both in public life and in the sphere of history and literature. Decembrists occupied the leading positions in the society from 1819-20. F. N. Glinka (full member from 1816, the head from 1819), A. A. Bestuzhev (from 1820), N. A. Bestuzhev (from 1821), W. K. Kuchelbecker (from 1819), A. O. Kornilovich (from 1822), K. F. Ryleev (from 1819), N. I. Gnedich (full member from 1821, Vice President from 1821), E. A. Baratynsky (from 1820), N. I. Grech (from 1818), F. V. Bulgarin (from 1820), A. A. Delwig (from 1820) were active members of the society. N. I. Turgenev, M. A. Korf, O. M. Somov, A. S. Griboedov et al. were also members of the society. A.S.Pushkin was closely connected with the society though he was not a member. Compositions by members were read, questions of history, philosophy, contemporary Russian and Western-European literature were discussed at sittings held on Ekateringofsky Avenue (today 91 Rimskogo-Korsakova Avenue) and on Voznesensky Avenue (a section of house 41). The society was divided into the right, "loyal" wing and the left, Decembrists' wing which supported young writers ( Kuchelbecker, Pushkin, Delwig et al.). Desperate inner polemics mostly connected with the problem of nationality in literature was a distinctive feature of VOLRS. The journal Sorevnovatel prosveshcheniya i blagotvoreniya (the Competitive from amongst the enlightment and the charitable) (from 1818, with breaks) was the printing organ. The activity of the society stopped after the failure of the Decembrist Uprising in 1825.

References: Базанов В. Г. Ученая республика. М.; Л., 1964. С. 41-56.

I. E. Vasilyeva.

Persons
Baratynsky Evgeny Abramovich
Bestuzhev Alexander Alexandrovich
Bestuzhev Nikolay Alexandrovich
Bulgarin Faddei Venediktovich
Delwig Anton Antonovich
Glinka Fedor Nikolaevich
Gnedich Nikolay Ivanovich
Grech Nikolay Ivanovich
Griboedov Alexander Sergeevich
Korf Modest Andreevich, Count
Kornilovich Alexander Osipovich
Kuchelbecker Wilhelm Karlovich
Pushkin Alexander Sergeevich
Ryleev Kondraty Fedorovich
Somov Orest Mikhailovich
Turgenev Nikolay Ivanovich

Addresses
Rimsky-Korsakov Ave/Saint Petersburg, city, house 91

Bibliographies
Базанов В. Г. Ученая республика. М.; Л., 1964

Chronograph
1816



Kuchelbecker W.K. (1797-1846), poet, decembrist

KUCHELBECKER Wilhelm Karlovich (1797, St. Petersburg - 1846), poet, decembrist, retired Collegiate Assessor. On graduating from Tsarskoe Selo Lycee (1817, classmate of A.S

Libraries (entry)

LIBRARIES. The first library of St. Petersburg was founded in 1714 by the decree of Tsar Peter the Great as His Majesty’s Library; later on, it formed the basis of the Library of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Pushkin Alexander Sergeevich (1799-1837), poet

PUSHKIN Alexander Sergeevich (1799-1837, St. Petersburg), poet, prose writer, playwright, historian, journalist. Studied at the Imperial Lyceum at Tsarskoe Selo (1811-17; memorial plaque; presently a memorial museum)

Ryleev K.F. (1795-1826), decembrist

RYLEEV Kondraty Fedorovich (1795-1826, St. Petersburg), poet, decembrist, retired 2nd lieutenant. Came to St. Petersburg in 1801. Graduated from the First Cadet Corps (1814). He participated in the Foreign Campaigns of 1813-14

Svinyin P. P. (1787-1839),writer, journalist, regional ethnographer

SVINYIN Pavel Petrovich (1787-1839), writer, journalist, collector, honorary associate of the Academy of Arts (1827), member of the Russian Academy (1833) received his primary education at the Boarding School for Nobility affiliated to the Moscow

Tolstoy F.P., (1783-1873), sculptor

TOLSTOY Fedor Petrovich (1783 - 1873, St. Petersburg), Count, medalist, drawer and painter, Privy Counsellor (1846). Graduated from the Marine Cadet Corps in 1802, served in the fleet, retired in 1804

Voznesensky Avenue

VOZNESENSKY AVENUE, translated as Ascension Avenue, between Admiralteisky Avenue and Fontanka River Embankment. It was laid in the early 18th century. It runs towards the tower of the Main Admiralty and crosses St Isaac’s Square

Yazykov N.M. (1803-1846/47), poet

YAZYKOV Nikolay Mikhailovich (1803-1846) was a poet. He came to St. Petersburg in 1814. In 1814-19, he studied at the Mining Cadet Corps (he graduated from the classes of the gymnasia), in 1820