Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin was born in the village of Karmachi, Kazan province, on July 3, 1743, into the family of a poor army officer. In 1750, the boy was sent to a German boarding school in Orenburg, where he learned German.
After the death of their father in 1754, the family moved to Kazan, and Gavrila and her brother entered the Kazan gymnasium. According to her successful completion the future poet enlists as a soldier. His guards Preobrazhensky Regiment participates in the coup that brought Empress Catherine II to the throne. While in the service, Gavrila Romanovich became addicted to gaming and began writing poetry. He also did not abandon science, read a lot, and began to translate the Messiad and Telemachus in verse.
Difficulty and temperament, combined with an unsuccessful guarantee for someone else's gambling debt, cost Derzhavin military career. In the same 1773, his first work was published without a signature - an excerpt from Ovid's Metamorphoses.
Gavrila Romanovich also loses the position he received in the Senate after his resignation due to his irreconcilable love of truth. In 1778 he married 16-year-old III Catherine Yakovlevna Bastidon, daughter of the valet of Peter III.
The year 1779 was marked by a departure in creativity from Lomonosov traditions - Derzhavin creates his own style, which will be recognized as a standard philosophical lyrics. In 1782, moved by the “Ode to Felitsa,” Catherine II gave the poet a golden snuffbox with diamonds and five hundred chervonets inside.
1784 - Derzhavin is appointed Olonets Governor. He immediately conflicts with Tutolmin, the governor of the region. A transfer to a gubernatorial position in Tambov leads to a similar story and quick dismissal.
In 1791 - 1793, he served as Catherine II's cabinet secretary, boring her with upholding justice. As a result, she removes Derzhavin from service with the Order of Vladimir II degree and the rank of Privy Councilor.
In 1793, the poet's muse, his wife, died. In 1795, he married Daria Alekseevna Dyakova without much love.
During the reign of Paul I (1796 - 1801), Gabriel Romanovich became a Knight of the Order of Malta, received the positions of state treasurer and ruler of the Senate Chancellery. He managed to change the monarch’s initial disfavor due to yet another harshness by writing a magnificent ode to Paul’s accession to the throne.
Already under Alexander I, in 1802 - 1803, Derzhavin served as Minister of Justice.
Having retired in 1803, the poet devoted himself entirely to creativity. Turns to drama, prepares collected works for publication. At the 1815 exam in Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum he notices young Pushkin (the lines “Old Derzhavin noticed us and, going to his grave, blessed us”) are dedicated to Gabriel Romanovich.
The poet and lover of truth died on July 8, 1816. Derzhavin’s wise and poetic statements, aphorisms and quotes from his works are still relevant and accurate today!
Gavrila Romanovich Derzhavin (1743-1816) - an outstanding Russian poet of the 18th - early 19th centuries. Derzhavin's work was innovative in many ways and left a significant mark on the history of literature in our country, influencing its further development.
Life and work of Derzhavin
Reading Derzhavin’s biography, it can be noted that early years There was no indication to the writer that he was destined to become a great man and a brilliant innovator.
Gavrila Romanovich was born in 1743 in the Kazan province. The family of the future writer was very poor, but belonged to the noble class.
Early years
As a child, Derzhavin had to endure the death of his father, which further worsened the family’s financial situation. The mother was forced to do anything to provide for her two sons and give them at least some kind of upbringing and education. There weren’t many good teachers in the province where the family lived; we had to put up with the ones we could hire. Despite the difficult situation, poor health, unqualified teachers, Derzhavin, thanks to his abilities and perseverance, was still able to receive a decent education.
Military service
While still a student at the Kazan gymnasium, the poet wrote his first poems. However, he never managed to finish his studies at the gymnasium. The fact is that a clerical error made by some employee led to the fact that the young man was sent to military service in St. Petersburg a year earlier, as an ordinary soldier. Only ten years later he managed to achieve the rank of officer.
With his entry into military service, Derzhavin’s life and work changed greatly. Duty of service left little time for literary activity, but despite this, during the war years Derzhavin composed quite a lot of comic poems, and also studied the works of various authors, including Lomonosov, whom he especially revered and considered a role model. German poetry also attracted Derzhavin. He knew German very well and translated German poets into Russian and often relied on them in his own poems.
However, at that time Gavrila Romanovich did not yet see his main calling in poetry. He aspired to a military career, to serving his homeland and improving the financial situation of his family.
In 1773-1774 Derzhavin participated in the suppression of the uprising of Emelyan Pugachev, but never achieved promotion or recognition of his merits. Having received only three hundred souls as a reward, he was demobilized. For some time, circumstances forced him to earn a living in a not entirely honest way - by playing cards.
Unlocking talent
It is worth noting that it was at this time, by the seventies, that his talent was truly revealed for the first time. "Chatalagai Odes" (1776) aroused the interest of readers, although in creative attitude this and other works of the seventies were not yet completely independent. Derzhavin's work was somewhat imitative, in particular, of Sumarokov, Lomonosov and others. The strict rules of versification, to which, following the classicist tradition, his poems were subject, did not allow the author’s unique talent to fully reveal itself.
In 1778 in personal life a joyful event happened to the writer - he fell passionately in love and married Ekaterina Yakovlevna Bastidon, who became long years his poetic muse (under the name Plenira).
Own path in literature
Since 1779, the writer has elected his own way in literature. Until 1791, he worked in the area that brought him the greatest fame. However, the poet does not simply follow the classicist models of this strict genre. He reforms it, completely changing the language, which becomes unusually sonorous, emotional, completely different from what it was in measured, rational classicism. Derzhavin completely changed and ideological content odes. If earlier state interests were above all, now personal, intimate revelations are also introduced into Derzhavin’s work. In this respect, he foreshadowed sentimentalism with its emphasis on emotionality and sensuality.
Last years
In the last decades of his life, Derzhavin stopped writing odes; love lyrics, friendly messages, comic poems.
Derzhavin's work in brief
The poet himself considered his main merit to be his introduction to fiction“funny Russian style”, which mixed elements of high and colloquial style, combined lyricism and satire. Derzhavin’s innovation was also in the fact that he expanded the list of themes of Russian poetry, including plots and motifs from everyday life.
Solemn odes
Derzhavin's work is briefly characterized by his most famous odes. They often contain the everyday and the heroic, the civil and the personal. Derzhavin's work thus combines previously incompatible elements. For example, “Poems for the birth of a porphyry-born youth in the North” can no longer be called a solemn ode in the classic sense of the word. The birth of Alexander Pavlovich in 1779 was described as a great event, all geniuses bring him various gifts - intelligence, wealth, beauty, etc. However, the wish of the last of them (“Be a man on the throne”) indicates that the king is a man, which was not typical for classicism. Innovation in Derzhavin's work manifested itself here in the mixture of civil and personal status of a person.
"Felitsa"
In this ode, Derzhavin dared to address the empress herself and argue with her. Felitsa is Catherine II. Gavrila Romanovich presents the reigning person as something that violates the strict classicist tradition that existed at that time. The poet admires Catherine II not as a statesman, but as wise man who know their path in life and follow it. The poet then describes his life. Self-irony when describing the passions that possessed the poet serves to emphasize Felitsa’s merits.
That is, the genre of ode, completely focused on the object of praise, turns into a friendly message from the poet, where there are two sides, and each of them is important, and not just the addressee. In Catherine II, the poet values most of all generosity, simplicity, condescension, that is, personal,
"To take Ishmael"
This ode depicts a majestic image of the Russian people conquering a Turkish fortress. Its power is likened to the forces of nature: an earthquake, a sea storm, a volcanic eruption. However, she is not spontaneous, but submits to the will of the Russian sovereign, driven by a feeling of devotion to her homeland. The extraordinary strength of the Russian warrior and the Russian people in general, his power and greatness were depicted in this work.
"Waterfall"
In this ode, written in 1791, the main image is of a stream, symbolizing the frailty of existence, earthly glory and human greatness. The prototype of the waterfall was Kivach, located in Karelia. The color palette of the work is rich in various shades and colors. Initially, this was just a description of the waterfall, but after the death of Prince Potemkin (who unexpectedly died on the way home, returning with victory in Russian-Turkish war) Gavrila Romanovich added semantic content to the picture, and the waterfall began to personify the frailty of life and lead to philosophical reflections about different values. Derzhavin was personally acquainted with Prince Potemkin and could not help but respond to his sudden death.
However, Gavrila Romanovich was far from admiring Potemkin. In the ode he is contrasted with Rumyantsev - that’s who, according to the author, true hero. Rumyantsev was a true patriot, caring about the common good, and not about personal glory and well-being. This hero in the ode figuratively corresponds to a quiet stream. The noisy waterfall is contrasted with the inconspicuous beauty of the Suna River with its majestic and calm flow, waters full of clarity. People like Rumyantsev, who live their lives calmly, without fuss or boiling passions, can reflect all the beauty of the sky.
Philosophical odes
The themes of Derzhavin’s work continue with the philosophical “On the Death of Prince Meshchersky” (1779) was written after the death of the heir Paul. Moreover, death is depicted figuratively, it “sharpens the blade of the scythe” and “grinds its teeth.” Reading this ode, at first it even seems that this is a kind of “hymn” to death. However, it ends with the opposite conclusion - Derzhavin calls on us to value life as “an instant gift from heaven” and to live it in such a way as to die with a pure heart.
Anacreontic lyrics
Imitating ancient authors, creating translations of their poems, Derzhavin created his miniatures, in which one can feel the national Russian flavor, life, and describe Russian nature. Classicism in Derzhavin’s work underwent its transformation here too.
Translating Anacreon for Gavrila Romanovich is an opportunity to escape into the realm of nature, man and everyday life, which had no place in strict classicist poetry. The image of this ancient poet who despises the light and loving life, was very attracted to Derzhavin.
In 1804, Anacreontic Songs were published as a separate edition. In the preface, he explains why he decided to write “light poetry”: the poet wrote such poems in his youth, and published them now because he left the service, became a private person and is now free to publish whatever he wants.
Late lyrics
To the features of Derzhavin’s creativity in late period refers to the fact that at this time he practically stops writing odes and creates mainly lyrical works. The poem "Eugene. Life of Zvanskaya", written in 1807, describes the daily home life of an old nobleman living in a luxurious rural family estate. Researchers note that this work was written in response to Zhukovsky’s elegy “Evening” and was polemical to the emerging romanticism.
TO late lyric poetry Derzhavin also includes the work “Monument”, filled with faith in the dignity of man despite adversity, life’s vicissitudes and historical changes.
The significance of Derzhavin's work was very great. The transformation of classicist forms begun by Gavrila Sergeevich was continued by Pushkin, and later by other Russian poets.
Derzhavin Gabriel (Gavrila) Romanovich (1743-1816) - publicist, poet, government official and cultural figure Russian era Enlightenment 2nd half of the XVIII century. A follower of the style of Russian classicism, he developed the ideas of extra-class enlightenment and the creation of a culture of a “new fatherland”. He believed that literature should serve the state, be moral and educational, and have an edifying character.
Active multifaceted personality, he combined the service of an official with literary creativity. The number of posts he holds is commensurate with the volume of journalism and poetic works. Among his works are translations of Jean Racine, Johann Schiller, personal philosophical “Reflections on a statesman”, “Notes from well-known incidents...”, “Reflections on lyric poetry or about an ode."
Poetic works are varied - from classical poems to experiments in mixing styles and introducing new elements. He introduces common folk word forms into pathetic vocabulary, dilutes solemn odes with satire, and tries to get away from the accepted forms of the classics, bringing them closer to reality.
Personal life had little influence on Derzhavin’s work. He was married twice, but had no children. At the age of 35, he married sixteen-year-old Ekaterina Yakovlevna Bastidon, lived with her for 15 years and sang in his lyrics as Plenira. Six months after her death, 51-year-old Gavrila proposed to Daria Alekseevna Dyakova. The 28-year-old widow was a friend of their family; the marriage was based not on love and passion, but on friendship and prudence.
Derzhavin’s creative development and literary milestones are more connected with his government activities, active participation in cultural life Russia and friendship with outstanding personalities of the Enlightenment.
Education
Gabriel Romanovich was born on July 14, 1743 in the small estate of Sokury, Kazan province. He was 12 years old when his father, Second Major Roman Nikolaevich, a small nobleman, died and left the widow Fekla Andreevna in poverty and with a lawsuit over family property.
Gavrila's education was incomplete and unprofessional due to the officer's family moving with the garrison. Learned to read at homeschooling parish sexton, German language, he was trained in calligraphy and drawing at the school of the exiled German Joseph Rose in Orenburg; he was taught geometry and arithmetic by garrison employees.
In 1759, a gymnasium was opened in Kazan, which gave young Gavrila the opportunity to study drawing, music and poetry. He would later write that he studied “faith without catechism, languages without grammar, numbers and measurement without proof, music without notes.” The moral teachings and instructions characteristic of his mature works seem to be attempts to give young people more knowledge than he himself received at their age.
Military service
In 1762 he enlisted as a private in the Preobrazhensky Regiment, where he waited for 10 years officer rank. How a guardsman was present in St. Petersburg during coup d'etat, in Moscow at the coronation of Catherine II, participated in the pacification of the Pugachev rebellion.
In 1777 he transferred to civilian service and began to actively write and publish.
The rise of creative and public careers
Starting at the age of 35 with the minor rank of collegiate adviser, Derzhavin reached senior ministerial positions. Timely odes of praise, dedicated to high-ranking persons, hymns about significant political or military events, helped him to be noticeable at court and enjoy the favor of influential persons. He was in favor of Catherine II, Paul I, Alexander I, Prince Golitsyn was his close friend.
Being a member of the Imperial Russian Academy since its founding in 1783, he worked on compiling the first explanatory dictionary Russian language together with the philanthropist Shuvalov, comedian Fonvizin, Admiral Golenishchev-Kutuzov, Count Stroganov and under the presidency of Princess Dashkova. In 1791 he met Karamzin and participated in the publishing of his Moscow Journal.
Derzhavin was awarded with orders higher degrees and held high-ranking positions:
1791 – cabinet secretary of Catherine II.
1793 – senator, privy councilor.
1795 - President of the Commerce Collegium.
1802 – Prosecutor General of the Governing Senate, Minister of Justice.
Gabriel Romanovich died at an old age on July 20, 1816. Before last days he was studying social activities and wrote works that became the basis for the poetry of a new generation.
A few months before his death, he was present at the examination committee of the Imperial Lyceum, where the young
Derzhavin Gabriel Romanovich, whose biography formed the basis of this article, forever entered the Russian history not only how outstanding poet and playwright, but also how statesman, past the path from a guard private to the head of the Ministry of Justice. Having a huge impact on further development Russian literature, he at the same time became a model of a true citizen and patriot.
The childhood of a young poet
Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin was born on July 14, 1743 in the family village of Sokury near Kazan. The family had many children, and due to the early death of its head, Roman Nikolaevich, the mother of the future poet, Fyokla Andreevna, could not give the children a proper education. This was also hampered by frequent moves caused by various everyday circumstances.
However, while studying at an Orenburg school and then at a Kazan gymnasium, young Gabriel Derzhavin early became addicted to classical Russian poetry, the highest examples which at that time included poems by M. Lomonosov, V. Trediakovsky and A. Sumarokov. His first own poetic experiments date back to this time. However, the early poems of the novice poet came out somewhat clumsily and clumsily - this was due to the lack of knowledge of the basics of versification and the opportunity to consult with someone more experienced in this area.
Army service
In 1762, Gabriel Derzhavin was assigned as a private in the Preobrazhensky Guards Regiment, which took part in the coup d'etat, which resulted in the accession to the throne of Empress Catherine II. The years spent in the army, by the poet’s own admission, were the most joyless period of his life. Heavy military service took up almost all of his time and energy, allowing him to write poetry only in rare free moments.
Subsequently, Gabriel Derzhavin, briefly describing in his memoirs the features of army life, said that in those years he often indulged in a common vice of the guards regiments - playing cards. Moreover, having found himself in an environment where cheating flourished, he himself quickly learned their trickster tricks, and only thanks to “God and his mother’s prayers” - that’s exactly what he wrote in his memoirs - did he not slide to the bottom of society.
Looking ahead to your future career
Since 1772 further biography Gabriel Derzhavin took a different direction: he was promoted to officer, and from 1773 to 1775 he took part in the work state commission, which was investigating the circumstances of the Pugachev riot.
Experiencing severe financial difficulties, Gabriel Romanovich turned to the empress herself for help, since in those days the autocrats did not yet disdain to read the letters of their subjects. His direct superior, Commander-in-Chief of the troops, Chief General A. Bibikov, attached his own report to the message, in which he highly appreciated Derzhavin’s merits in “establishing law-abidingness among the Kalmyks.” As a result, very soon the young man was granted the rank of collegiate adviser and became the owner of 300 serf souls, bestowed upon him personally by the empress.
First marriage and attainment of creative maturity
In the same year, 1775, another important and joyful event occurred in the life of Gabriel Derzhavin - he got married. His wife was the sixteen-year-old girl Ekaterina Bastidon, whose father was once the valet of the murdered Emperor Peter III, and whose mother was the nurse of the future Emperor Paul I. As befits a true poet, Derzhavin sang his chosen one in poetry, calling her Plenira - from the verb “to captivate” "
Most researchers of the poet’s work consider these years to be the period when he found his own literary style, which made it possible to create a cycle of outstanding works in the genre of philosophical lyrics. At the same time, his works began to be published for the first time, but did not bring the author widespread fame in literary circles.
Golden snuffbox from the hands of the Empress
Fame came to Derzhavin only after writing the ode “Felitsa”, dedicated to Empress Catherine II. In this work, filled with the most loyal feelings, the author presented the Russian autocrat as the ideal of an enlightened ruler and mother of nations.
Such obvious flattery, dressed in a highly artistic form, did not go without due reward. The “Mother of Nations” granted the poet a golden snuffbox studded with diamonds and filled with chervonets, after which Gabriel Romanovich’s career took off sharply. Appointments to various high positions followed one after another, but Derzhavin’s character traits prevented him from getting along with other officials and served as the reason frequent transfers from place to place.
At the head of the Olonets region
In 1776, the previously created Olonets province was transformed into a governorate, and by decree of the Empress, Gabriel Derzhavin was appointed its first governor. His responsibilities, among other things, included monitoring compliance with the law by all officials subordinate to him. This turned out to be the cause of many troubles that soon followed.
In those early years, embezzlers were not yet called corrupt officials, but this did not make them less numerous. Theft was widespread, and the expression “take according to rank” even came into use. This meant that petty bureaucrats could “grasp” with impunity only a small fraction of what they had access to. Middle-level officials were secretly allowed to profit in a much larger volume, but everyone, “a greedy crowd standing at the throne,” as M.Yu. Lermontov, - they plunged their hand into the treasury up to the elbow with impunity.
It was these lawlessnesses that once happened in Russia that Gabriel Romanovich encountered in his new post. Being a decent and law-abiding person, he tried his best to fight the evil that surrounded him, but as a result he only made numerous ill-wishers both in the structures under his control and in court circles, which was the reason for his subsequent resignation.
Nevertheless, during the years spent as governor, and having a residence first in Petrozavodsk and then in Tambov, Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin managed to do many good deeds before his resignation. Thus, through his efforts, the first Tambov theater was opened, a city school was built, a hospital for the poor opened its doors, and a printing house began operating.
Cabinet Secretary of the Empress
The next step on career ladder Gabriel Derzhavin began to serve as the personal office secretary of Catherine II. Ignoring the slander that rained down on the poet from all sides, the Empress brought him closer to her as a sign of gratitude for the ode he had once written in her honor.
But Gabriel Romanovich did not stay in this position for long, since he had the habit of reporting on all matters, presenting them in a true, and sometimes unsightly, light, which greatly upset his benefactress. He also bothered her with constant petitions for those in need and suffering from injustice. It ended with the Empress being tired of him, and she sent him out of sight - she transferred him to the Senate.
Creator of the first Russian anthem
While in this honorable exile, Derzhavin created his most famous work. In 1791, inspired by the news of the capture of the Turkish fortress of Izmail by Russian troops under the command of A.V. Suvorov, he wrote the poem “The Thunder of Victory, Ring Out.” Set to music by composer Osip Kozlovsky, over the following years it was official anthem Russia, which was replaced only in 1833 by the famous “God Save the Tsar,” written by another outstanding Russian poet - V. Zhukovsky in collaboration with composer A. Lvov.
Remarriage
In 1794, Gabriel Romanovich’s wife, the muse he once sang in poetry, died, giving her the romantic name Plenira. After a year, the not-so-old widower married again. He united his fate with Daria Alekseevna Dyakova, who also became the heroine of his poems, this time under the name Milena.
Both marriages famous poet, although they were filled with love, they turned out to be childless. Having no offspring of their own, the couple raised children dead friend family of P. Lazarev. One of them - Mikhail - later became famous admiral, discoverer and explorer of the Arctic.
Career peak
During the reign of Paul I, Derzhavin served as president of the Commerce Collegium and state treasurer, and Alexander I, who subsequently ascended the throne, appointed him minister of justice. But wherever he served, Gabriel Romanovich tried with all his might to eradicate bribery and embezzlement, which invariably made enemies for himself. In 1803 he filed a petition for highest name and finished government activities, devoting himself entirely to literature.
Subsequent life and work of the poet
Even before his resignation, Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin loved Zvanka, an estate that belonged to his second wife Daria Alekseevna. In it he spent last years his life, writing about 60 poems and preparing the first volume of his works for publication. In addition to poetic works, his name is associated with works in the field of drama. These include librettos created for several operas, as well as tragedies: “Herod and Marianne”, “Eupraxia” and “The Dark One”.
Derzhavin's poetry had a huge influence on early work A. S. Pushkin, who read his poems from childhood and studied them at the Lyceum in Russian literature classes. They only got to see each other once. In 1815, Derzhavin was invited to the Lyceum exam, where he young Alexander Pushkin read his famous poem"Memories of Tsarskoye Selo". A reproduction from a painting by I. E. Repin reproducing this episode is presented in the article. The venerable master, seeing his brilliant successor in the dark young man and deeply touched by his poems, wanted to hug Pushkin, but he ran away, unable to hold back his sobs.
The death of the poet and the subsequent fate of his remains
Death overtook him in 1816 on the Zvanka estate, which, as mentioned above, Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin loved before his retirement, often visited, and in which he spent the rest of his life. His ashes, transported along the Volkhov to Velikiy Novgorod, was buried in the Transfiguration Cathedral, located on the territory of the Varlaamo-Khutyn Monastery. Later, his second wife, Daria Alekseevna, was buried there.
During the Great Patriotic War the monastery found itself in a combat zone and was completely destroyed. The Derzhavins' grave was also badly damaged. In 1959, their remains were reburied, placed in the Novgorod Detinets, and in 1993, when the poet’s 250th anniversary was celebrated, they were returned to the Varlaamo-Khutyn Monastery, which had been revived by that time.
Among the names of outstanding Russian poets who brought glory to Russian literature, Gabriel Derzhavin is invariably mentioned, whose brief biography was outlined in this article. The study of his life and work has great importance not only from the aesthetic side, but also from the educational side, since the truths that he preached are eternal.
Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin occupies Russian literature significant place along with D.I. Fonvizin and M.V. Lomonosov. Together with these titans of Russian literature, he is included in the brilliant galaxy of founders of Russian classical literature the Enlightenment era, dating back to the second half of the 18th century. At this time, largely thanks to the personal participation of Catherine the Second, science and art were rapidly developing in Russia.
This is the time of the first appearance Russian universities, libraries, theaters, public museums and a relatively independent press, however, very relative and for a short period, which ended with the appearance of “Journey from St. Petersburg to Moscow” by A.P. Radishcheva. The most fruitful period of the poet’s activity dates back to this time, as Famusov Griboyedov called it, “the golden age of Catherine.”
Life
The future poet was born on July 14, 1743 in the family estate of Sokury near Kazan.
Also in early childhood lost his father, an officer in the Russian army, and was raised by his mother Fyokla Andreevna Kozlova. Derzhavin's life was bright and eventful, largely thanks to his intelligence, energy and character. There have been incredible ups and downs. According to his biography one could write adventure novel, based on real events. But, more about everything.
In 1762, as befits children of the nobility, he was accepted into the Preobrazhensky Regiment as an ordinary guardsman. In 1772 he became an officer and from 1773 to 1775. took part in the suppression of the Pugachev rebellion. At this time, two completely opposite in significance and improbability events happen to him. During the Pugachev rebellion, he completely lost his fortune, but soon card game won 40,000 rubles.
It was only in 1773 that his first poems were published. Some people date back to this period of life. Interesting Facts his life. Like many officers, he did not shy away from carousing and gambling, which almost deprived Russia of a great poet. Cards drove him to cheating; all sorts of unseemly tricks were committed for the sake of money. Fortunately, he was able to realize in time the harmfulness of this path and change his lifestyle.
In 1777 he left with military service resign. Enters to serve as a state councilor in the Senate. It is worth noting that he was an incorrigible truth-teller, and, moreover, did not particularly worship his superiors, for which he never enjoyed the love of the latter. From May 1784 to 1802 was on public service, including from 1791-1793. cabinet secretary of Catherine II, however, his inability to openly flatter and promptly suppress reports unpleasant to the royal ears contributed to the fact that he did not stay here for long. During his service, he rose in his career to become the Minister of Justice of the Russian Empire.
Thanks to his truth-loving and irreconcilable character, Gavriil Romanovich did not stay in each position for more than two years due to constant conflicts with thieving officials, as can be seen from the chronology of his service. All attempts to achieve justice only irritated his high patrons.
During all this time I was engaged creative activity. The odes “God” (1784), “Thunder of Victory, Ring Out!” were created. (1791, the unofficial anthem of Russia), well known to us from Pushkin’s story “Dubrovsky”, “The Nobleman” (1794), “Waterfall” (1798) and many others.
After retirement, he lived on his family estate Zvanka in the Novgorod province, where he devoted all his time to creativity. He passed away on July 8, 1816.
Literary creativity
Derzhavin became widely known in 1782 with the publication of the ode “Felitsa,” dedicated to the Empress. Early works- an ode to the wedding of Grand Duke Pavel Petrovich, published in 1773. In general, the ode occupies one of the dominant places in the poet’s work. His odes have reached us: “On the death of Bibikov”, “On the nobles”, “On Her Majesty’s Birthday”, etc. In his first compositions one can feel an open imitation of Lomonosov. Over time, he moved away from this and adopted the works of Horace as a model for his odes. He published his works mainly in the St. Petersburg Bulletin. These are: “Songs to Peter the Great” (1778), an epistole to Shuvalov, “On the death of Prince Meshchersky”, “The Key”, “On the birth of a porphyry-born youth” (1779), “On the absence of the empress in Belarus”, “To the first neighbor”, “ To rulers and judges" (1780).
The sublime tone and vivid pictures of these works attracted the attention of writers. The poet attracted the attention of society with his “Ode to Felitsa,” dedicated to the queen. A snuff box studded with diamonds and 50 chervonets were the reward for the ode, thanks to which he was noticed by the queen and the public. His odes “To the Capture of Ishmael” and “Waterfall” brought him no less success. The meeting and close acquaintance with Karamzin led to cooperation in Karamzin’s Moscow Journal. His “Monument to a Hero”, “On the Death of Countess Rumyantseva”, “The Majesty of God” were published here.
Shortly before the departure of Catherine the Second, Derzhavin presented her with his handwritten collection of works. This is remarkable. After all, the poet’s talent flourished precisely during her reign. In fact, his work became a living monument to the reign of Catherine II. In the last years of his life he tried to experiment with tragedies, epigrams and fables, but they do not have the same height as his poetry.
Criticism was mixed. From awe to almost complete denial of his work. Only the works of D. Grog, dedicated to Derzhavin, which appeared after the revolution, and his efforts to publish the works and biography of the poet made it possible to evaluate his work.
For us, Derzhavin is the first poet of that era whose poems can be read without additional comments and explanations.