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You must write for children in the same way as you do for adults, only better. - Maxim Gorky

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Fyodor Sologub

(Fyodor Kuzmich Ternikov 1863 - 1927)

Fyodor Sologub was a famous poet and prosaic. He was born into the family of a tailor in St. Petersburg. After graduating from a community college and St. Petersburg Educational Institute, he was hired as a teacher in several remote areas of Northern Russia. He lived in St. Petersburg after 1892, when he found a position teaching Mathematics at the town community college.

Sologub began his literary career in the1890's. His works are interesting because they clearly outline the characteristics of the perception and cultivation of classical Russian idealism and artistry into Decadent literature. As opposed to Balmont, Brusov, and Bely, Sologub's poetic language does not contain elaborate metaphors, and is even laconic at times. In reference to Sologub's verses, K. Chukovsky wrote: "The lack of sophistication in his verse shows great artistry, and his defined simplicity is utterly beautiful" The primary collections of Sologub's poetry are "Blue Sky" written in 1920, "One Love" written in 1921, "Reed pipe" written in 1922, and "Charmed Chalice" also written in 1922.

Sologub's prosaic works, like "Little demon" (1892-1902), "Heavy Dreams" (1895), and "Legend Created" (1910's), are what brought him fame more than anything else. Sologub spent the last years of his life translating, for the most part.