When and where was Denis Fonvizin born?
Denis Ivanovich Fonvizin entered the world in Moscow during 1745. He was born into a noble Russian Orthodox family as the first of eight children.
Questions about Denis Fonvizin
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What were the major works written by Denis Fonvizin?
Fonvizin wrote two famous comedies titled The Brigadier-General which appeared in the late 1760s and The Minor which appeared in 1782. His second comedy The Minor definitely classed him as the foremost of Russian playwrights.
Who influenced the writing style of Denis Fonvizin?
His principal model was Ludvig Holberg the great Dano-Norwegian playwright whom he read in German. Fonvizin translated some of Holberg's plays into Russian during his career.
Why did Denis Fonvizin travel to Montpellier in 1777?
In 1777, 78 he traveled abroad with the principal aim of visiting the medical faculty of Montpellier. He described this voyage in Letters from France which stands as one of the most elegant specimens of prose from the period.
When did Denis Fonvizin die and where did he pass away?
Denis Fonvizin died in Saint Petersburg in 1792 after years of constant suffering and traveling abroad for health reasons. His works shaped the trajectory of Russian literary history through their social satire.