Top 10 interesting facts from the life of Alexander Kuprin

Almost everyone knows the Russian writer, classic Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin (1870-1938). During his lifetime, he wrote such interesting works that you want to read them again and again, and advise them to read to your loved ones. The most significant works of Kuprin include “The Pit”, “Pomegranate Bracelet” (this work is included in the list of literature required reading in schools), “White Poodle”, etc. His stories about animals, about the life of the Russian people, about culture.

We bring to your attention a list of the 10 most interesting facts from the life of Kuprin: biography and work of the writer, friends and personal life of a talented person.

10 Growing up without a father

Kuprin can be called the most sentimental in relation to women. The boy grew up without a father who died of cholera. At that time, the future writer was only one year old. As a child, Kuprin had seen enough of the wrong side of women’s life. He was raised by his mother, Lyubov Kulunchakova, who was forced to move to Moscow due to financial problems in the Widow’s House with the boy.

Alexander Kuprin grew up among women’s gossip, intrigue, contempt for the poor, but, despite this, he became a singer of the purest love – this is called platonic.

9. Emphasized Tatar origin

On the maternal side, the Russian writer Alexander Kuprin descended from the Tatar prince Kulunchak Enikeev. But the Tatar blood in the writer was at best a quarter: his father was Russian, and his maternal marriages were mixed.

In 1901, when fame came to Kuprin and he began to publish in magazines in St. Petersburg, the writer came up with a myth about himself and his ancestors – about the connection with Tamerlane and his mother – the “Tatar princess” … Ivan Bunin, with whom they were friends, recalled: “How much Tatar is in it!” Kuprin emphasized his Tatar origin, which he was very proud of..

8. Possessed a super-sense of smell

It happens that one person contains many interesting and unique qualities. This can be said about Alexander Kuprin.

Once a French perfumer heard from the writer a clear layout of the components that were part of his new fragrance – it struck him, and the perfumer said: “You have such a rare gift! Are you just a writer?

The recognizability of the components impressed not only the perfumer, but also his friends, who were also present at the moment when Alexander Kuprin listed the notes. His friend even called him “the most sensitive nose of Russia».

7. I met with Lenin

In 1918 Alexander Kuprin met with Lenin. At the meeting, the writer turned to him for help in publishing a newspaper for the village. 20 years after this event, Kuprin recalled: “I always believed this brilliant man, the conversation with him made a big impression on me».

Lenin approved of Kuprin’s writing initiative, but he never took up the newspaper. This was prevented by another leader – Lev Kamenev, chairman of the Moscow City Council. He cut off the writer’s initiative, as they say, in the bud.

Interesting fact: Alexander Kuprin, in his short essay, said that Lenin is red-haired, not brown-haired, as he is portrayed.

6. Changed more than twenty professions

Whom only did not work Kuprin! He probably changed more than twenty professions, but he was motivated not by financial considerations, but by interest. He was interested in getting new experiences, and he coped well with this. In 1894, having retired (he served in the army, at the same time engaged in literary activities), he began working as a reporter, later as a turner, mortuary orderly, sailor, dentist, and even sold toilets and tried himself as a thief.

He often said to his friends:I would like to be a horse, a fish or a woman for a few days“. Here is such an unusual and interesting writer Alexander Kuprin.

5. Took part in the uprising of sailors

In Sevastopol there were continuous rallies (1905), demonstrations were organized on the streets of the cities, and shooting was not complete. Alexander Kuprin found himself in the center of tragic events – every day he watched what was happening, arriving in Sevastopol, talking with sailors and soldiers.

Kuprin witnessed the Sevastopol uprising – he saw how the sailors who jumped off the burning cruiser were not allowed to escape by shooting them in the water. He was touched by what was happening, and he began to think how he could help those who escaped from the flames of Ochakov. He decided to accept the fate of the sailors and sheltered ten people. It was very dangerous – the police were looking for survivors, but this did not stop Kuprin.

4. The first wife “customized” at work

The first time Alexander Kuprin married when he was 32 years old. His wife was Maria Davydova. She was bright, witty, noisy. Kuprin passionately loved his wife and listened to her opinion. Since Kuprin was a restless and even disorganized person, his wife had to fight with harsh methods.

Because of his spree, Alexander Kuprin constantly put off writing the “Duel”, wrote it slowly, so Maria escorted him out of the house, saying that he would be able to see her and his daughter only when he showed new manuscripts.

In 1905, the story nevertheless came out, Kuprin’s work brought world fame, but the relationship of the spouses soon ended – they parted peacefully, becoming strangers to each other.

3. “Garnet Bracelet” is based on a story the writer heard as a child

One of the best works about love “Garnet Bracelet” was written from a true story.. When viewing family albums, Kuprin heard the story that formed the basis of the novel.

The telegraph official was in love with the governor’s wife, but his feelings were not mutual. And once he gave her a chain – according to the woman’s son, this case can even be called anecdotal, but Kuprin turned it into a tragic love story. The chain turned into a garnet bracelet when Alexander Kuprin took up a pen and began to write…

Initially, he was going to write a story, but it so happened that the story turned into a story that brought the writer great success. Everyone should read the “Garnet Bracelet” – it is a real source of wisdom, life and moral purity.

2. He considered Chekhov and Tolstoy as teachers

Russian classic Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin was friends with Ivan Bunin, Anton Chekhov and Maxim Gorky. Having retired (from 1890 he was a lieutenant in an infantry regiment), the writer traveled a lot around Russia, just at that time he met his literary teachers – Gorky, Chekhov, Bunin.

“Duel” came out with a dedication to Maxim Gorky, with whom Alexander Kuprin was close at that time, and, despite criticism, the story earned the praise of Leo Tolstoy, the writer whom he considered his teacher.

1. Kuprin is a true romantic

Alexander Kuprin has always been a romantic. He lived a life full of curiosities, and never denied himself the opportunity to do what he considered right. Kuprin, as a true romantic, loved heartbreaking stories, which was reflected in his work.. But at the same time, the light form in which he clothed his works carried great meaning …

The writer never cheated on himself, remaining a romantic until the end of his days. We can catch this feeling in his magnificent works! Can we start right now?