Biography

Early Life: Born in Moscow, Russia, to a strict military surgeon father; trained initially as an army engineer. Published his debut epistolary novel Poor Folk in 1846, receiving critical acclaim for its social empathy. Arrest & Exile: Arrested in 1849 for belonging to the Petrashevsky Circle, a progressive literary discussion group. Miraculously survived a mock execution before serving four years of hard labor in Siberia, followed by military service. Philosophical Shift: Returned to St. Petersburg transformed, embracing deep Christian orthodoxy and nationalism. Literary Era: Wrote psychological masterpieces exploring morality, guilt, redemption, and existential dread. Key Novels: Notes from Underground (1864), Crime and Punishment (1866), The Idiot (1869), and The Demons (1872). Final Masterwork: Published The Brothers Karamazov in 1880, dealing with faith, free will, and patricide. Style: Mastered polyphonic narrative techniques, giving distinct, deeply held viewpoints to his opposing characters. Passed away in 1881 in St. Petersburg; tens of thousands attended his funeral procession.