Anton Tchekhov

Anton Tchekhov (1860-1904) was a Russian playwright, short story writer, and physician. Born in the town of Taganrog, Russia, he was the son of a grocer and the grandson of a serf. After his father went bankrupt, Tchekhov worked to support his family and eventually went on to study medicine at the University of Moscow. Tchekhov's literary career began with the publication of his first short stories in 1880. He soon gained a reputation for his realistic portrayals of everyday life in Russia, and...See more

Anton Tchekhov (1860-1904) was a Russian playwright, short story writer, and physician. Born in the town of Taganrog, Russia, he was the son of a grocer and the grandson of a serf. After his father went bankrupt, Tchekhov worked to support his family and eventually went on to study medicine at the University of Moscow. Tchekhov's literary career began with the publication of his first short stories in 1880. He soon gained a reputation for his realistic portrayals of everyday life in Russia, and his works were widely read and praised for their nuanced characters and naturalistic dialogue. Tchekhov is best known for his plays, such as "The Seagull," "Uncle Vanya," and "The Cherry Orchard," which revolutionized the theater with their sparse staging and psychological complexity. His works explored the themes of human suffering, the fragility of happiness, and the complexities of human relationships. Despite his literary success, Tchekhov continued to practice medicine and cared for patients during the cholera epidemic of 1892. He died of tuberculosis in 1904 at the age of 44. Tchekhov's legacy as a writer and playwright has endured to the present day, and his works continue to be widely studied and performed around the world. See less