Pavel Svinyin
Encyclopedia
Pavel Petrovich Svinyin or Svinin (Павел Петрович Свиньин; 19 June 1787 - 21 April 1839) was a prolific Russia
n writer, painter, and editor known as a "Russian Munchausen
" for many exaggerated accounts of his travels.
Svinyin, an inveterate Anglophile, accompanied Dmitry Senyavin
in the second Archipelago expedition of 1806 and was employed at the Russian consulate in Philadelphia between 1811 and 1813. He was an aide-de-camp to General Moreau
and was present when he died. His first book, Sketches of Moscow and St. Petersburg (1813), made its first appearance in Pennsylvania
in English. He left one of the first written depictions of black church music in the United States and launched the publication of the literary magazine Otechestvennye Zapiski
in 1818.
Svinyin was on friendly terms with many leading Russian writers, including Pushkin and Gogol, and promoted the careers of talented peasants. In 1830 he left the capital and settled at his country estate near Galich
. Svinin authored several historical novels and plays, a guide to St. Petersburg and its suburbs (in 5 volumes, 1816-28) and a catalogue of the Kremlin Armoury
(1826). His personal collection, known as the "Russian Museum", featured a number of valuable paintings, statues, manuscripts, antiques, coins, and gems. It was auctioned off in 1834.
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n writer, painter, and editor known as a "Russian Munchausen
Baron Munchhausen
Karl Friedrich Hieronymus, Freiherr von Münchhausen , usually known as Baron Münchhausen in English, was a German nobleman born in Bodenwerder and a famous recounter of tall tales....
" for many exaggerated accounts of his travels.
Svinyin, an inveterate Anglophile, accompanied Dmitry Senyavin
Dmitry Senyavin
Dmitry Nikolayevich Senyavin or Seniavin was a Russian admiral who ranks among the greatest seamen of the Napoleonic Wars.- Service under Ushakov :...
in the second Archipelago expedition of 1806 and was employed at the Russian consulate in Philadelphia between 1811 and 1813. He was an aide-de-camp to General Moreau
Jean Victor Marie Moreau
Jean Victor Marie Moreau was a French general who helped Napoleon Bonaparte to power, but later became a rival and was banished to the United States.- Early life :Moreau was born at Morlaix in Brittany...
and was present when he died. His first book, Sketches of Moscow and St. Petersburg (1813), made its first appearance in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
in English. He left one of the first written depictions of black church music in the United States and launched the publication of the literary magazine Otechestvennye Zapiski
Otechestvennye Zapiski
Otechestvennye Zapiski was a Russian literary magazine published in St Petersburg on a monthly basis between 1818 and 1884. The journal served liberal-minded readers, known as the intelligentsia...
in 1818.
Svinyin was on friendly terms with many leading Russian writers, including Pushkin and Gogol, and promoted the careers of talented peasants. In 1830 he left the capital and settled at his country estate near Galich
Galich, Russia
Galich is a town in Kostroma Oblast, Russia, situated on the southern bank of Lake Galichskoye. It is also a minor railroad node of the Trans-Siberian railway. Population: -History:...
. Svinin authored several historical novels and plays, a guide to St. Petersburg and its suburbs (in 5 volumes, 1816-28) and a catalogue of the Kremlin Armoury
Kremlin Armoury
The Kremlin Armory is one of the oldest museums of Moscow, established in 1808 and located in the Moscow Kremlin .The Kremlin Armoury originated as the royal arsenal in 1508. Until the transfer of the court to St Petersburg, the Armoury was in charge of producing, purchasing and storing weapons,...
(1826). His personal collection, known as the "Russian Museum", featured a number of valuable paintings, statues, manuscripts, antiques, coins, and gems. It was auctioned off in 1834.