Gavrila Derzhavin
Gavrila Romanovich Derzhavin | |
|---|---|
Portrait by Vladimir Borovikovsky, 1811 | |
| Born | 14 July 1743 |
| Died | 20 July 1816 (aged 73) Zvanka manor, Novgorod Governorate, Russian Empire |
| Occupation | Poet, statesman |
| Period | Neoclassicism |
| Signature | |
Gavriil (Gavrila) Romanovich Derzhavin (Russian: Гаврии́л (Гаври́ла) Рома́нович Держа́вин, IPA: [ɡɐˈvrilə rɐˈmanəvʲɪtɕ dʲɪrˈʐavʲɪn] ⓘ; 14 July 1743 – 20 July 1816) was one of the most highly esteemed Russian poets before Alexander Pushkin, as well as a statesman. Although his works are traditionally considered literary classicism, his best verse is rich with antitheses and conflicting sounds in a way reminiscent of John Donne and other metaphysical poets.