Valerian Maykov
Encyclopedia
Valerian Nikolayevich Maykov ' onMouseout='HidePop("79590")' href="/topics/1823_in_literature">1823
, Moscow
, Russia
— July 27, 1847
, v.Novoye) was a Russian
author and literary critic, son of painter Nikolay Maykov, brother of poet Apollon
and novelist Vladimir Maykovs. Valerian Maykov, once a Petrashevsky Circle
associate, was considered by contemporaries as heir to Belinsky
's position of Russia's leading critic, and later credited for being arguably the first in Russia to introduce scientific approach to the art of literary criticism.
, the family’s friend taught him Russian language and literature. He studied in the Saint Petersburgh University
and later cited professor Viktor Poroshin who taught political economy
as the major influence. In his first article, called "Productivity as Related to Wealth Distribution" (1842) he critically analyzed Adam Smith
's theory and suggested an idea of workers' receiving shares of the profit. In 1832 Maykov graduated from the university and joined the governmental Department of Agriculture. Soon he quit it due to ill health and spent half a year in Germany
, France
and Switzerland
, where he studied extensively political economy, philosophy and chemistry.
On his return to Saint Petersburgh, Maykov became close to the Petrashevsky circle
and took part in compiling the so-called Pocket Dictionary of Foreign Words Now Part of the Russian Language (1845–46) along with N.Kirillov and Mikhail Petrashevsky
himself. There he wrote some major articles: "Analysis", "Criticism", "Ideal", "Drama", "Jounal". The Kirillov's Dictionary, the most obvious result of French Revolution
influence (and an analogue of Voltaire
's Philosophy Dictionary), in the late 1840s was banned and put out of circulation. In 1849 Ivan Liprandi
who investigated the Petrashevsky case, was saying that the dictionary "was full of such daring things which were worse than those in hand-written copies that were circulating around". In 1845 Maykov became a co-editor of the Finsky vestnik (The Finnish Herald) magazine, founded by Fyodor Dershau. The first volume of it opened with Maykov's large (unfinished) article "Social Sciences in Russia" in which he formulated the main thesis of his whole literary legacy: the need for science and arts to be organically linked with social reality. The second part of the article was to be a critical analysis of "the progressive thought in Russia", with Vissarion Belinsky being one of it's main heroes but it was banned by censors and later appeared in miscellaneous fragments.
Maykov's article has been noticed in literary circles, and in 1846 Andrey Krayevsky (on Ivan Turgenev
's recommendation) invited Maykov to become an editor of critical department of Otechestvennye Zapiski
, where Belinsky worked. In his first major article, on poet Aleksey Koltsov
, Maykov came into direct conflict with Belinsky, accusing him of "biased and unfounded criticism" and "literary dictatorship". Belinsky's reply was harsh and this strained made the relationship between Otechestvennye Zapisky and Sovremennik
, a Belinsky circle's unofficial base. In spite of this Maykov in 1847 started to collaborate with Sovremennik. The same year he organised his own circle, close to that of Petrashevsky: V.A.Milyutin and M.E.Saltykov-Schedrin
, among others, were its members. By this time Maykov's philosophy changed: inspired by Ludwig Feuerbach and Western Socialists he came up with his own concept of "harmonical man" and "ideal civilisation", seeing, among other things, national and ethnic differences as totally superfluous.
Valerian Maykov’s promising career suddenly came to an end on July 15, 1847. While guesting in Petergof region, he died of a stroke while swimming. He was buried in in a village graveyard of Ropsha
nearby Saint Petersburgh.
. Years 1891and 1892 saw the renewed interest in Maykov's set of ideas when A.N.Tchudinov in Literary Pantheon (Пантеон Литературы) published his Critical Exercises (Критические опыты), which inspired a lively discussion in Vestnik Evropy, Russkaya Mysl and Istorichesky Vestnik magazines. Later a large article on this work published Akim Volynsky in his Russian Critics series.
According to Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary
, Maykov "wasn't a gifted writer in a common sense of the word", his style of writing was "anemic and occasionally murky", his analysis of Herzen and Tyutchev's works not original. Yet author Semyon Vengerov
credited Maykov with being arguably the first "theoretician" critic in Russia who, unlike most of his colleagues was interested not so much in analysis of particulary literary works as with the way these works fitted into his own "rather neat and elaborate aesthetic theory". In fact, Maykov himself (in a letter to Turgenev) admitted that he'd "never meant becoming a critic in terms of evaluating literary works". "I always dreamt of a scientist's career. But how could I make the common public read my scientific works? For me literary criticism is the only way of enticing it into the spheres of my scientific interest", Maykov wrote.
1823 in literature
The year 1823 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:* Clement Clarke Moore's poem, A Visit from St. Nicholas introduces the character named "Santa Claus"....
, Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, Russia
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
— July 27, 1847
1847 in literature
The year 1847 in literature involved some significant new books.-New books:*Honoré de Balzac - Le Cousin Pons*Anne Brontë - Agnes Grey*Charlotte Brontë - Jane Eyre*Emily Brontë - Wuthering Heights*Catherine Gore - Castles in The Air...
, v.Novoye) was a Russian
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
author and literary critic, son of painter Nikolay Maykov, brother of poet Apollon
Apollon Maykov
Apollon Nikolayevich Maykov was a Russian poet.He was born into the artistic family of Nikolay Apollonovich Maykov, a painter and an academic. In 1834 the family moved to Petersburg. In 1837-1841 Maykov studied law at Saint Petersburg University. At first he was attracted to painting, but he soon...
and novelist Vladimir Maykovs. Valerian Maykov, once a Petrashevsky Circle
Petrashevsky Circle
The Petrashevsky Circle was a Russian literary discussion group of progressive-minded commoner-intellectuals in St. Petersburg organized by Mikhail Petrashevsky, a follower of the French utopian socialist Charles Fourier. Among the members were writers, teachers, students, minor government...
associate, was considered by contemporaries as heir to Belinsky
Vissarion Belinsky
Vissarion Grigoryevich Belinsky was a Russian literary critic of Westernizing tendency. He was an associate of Alexander Herzen, Mikhail Bakunin , and other critical intellectuals...
's position of Russia's leading critic, and later credited for being arguably the first in Russia to introduce scientific approach to the art of literary criticism.
Biography
Valerian Maykov, son of painter Nikolay Maykov, was born in Moscow and received a high-quality home education: Ivan GoncharovIvan Goncharov
Ivan Alexandrovich Goncharov was a Russian novelist best known as the author of Oblomov .- Biography :Ivan Goncharov was born in Simbirsk ; his father was a wealthy grain merchant and respected official who was elected mayor of Simbirsk several times...
, the family’s friend taught him Russian language and literature. He studied in the Saint Petersburgh University
Saint Petersburg State University
Saint Petersburg State University is a Russian federal state-owned higher education institution based in Saint Petersburg and one of the oldest and largest universities in Russia....
and later cited professor Viktor Poroshin who taught political economy
Political economy
Political economy originally was the term for studying production, buying, and selling, and their relations with law, custom, and government, as well as with the distribution of national income and wealth, including through the budget process. Political economy originated in moral philosophy...
as the major influence. In his first article, called "Productivity as Related to Wealth Distribution" (1842) he critically analyzed Adam Smith
Adam Smith
Adam Smith was a Scottish social philosopher and a pioneer of political economy. One of the key figures of the Scottish Enlightenment, Smith is the author of The Theory of Moral Sentiments and An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations...
's theory and suggested an idea of workers' receiving shares of the profit. In 1832 Maykov graduated from the university and joined the governmental Department of Agriculture. Soon he quit it due to ill health and spent half a year in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, where he studied extensively political economy, philosophy and chemistry.
On his return to Saint Petersburgh, Maykov became close to the Petrashevsky circle
Petrashevsky Circle
The Petrashevsky Circle was a Russian literary discussion group of progressive-minded commoner-intellectuals in St. Petersburg organized by Mikhail Petrashevsky, a follower of the French utopian socialist Charles Fourier. Among the members were writers, teachers, students, minor government...
and took part in compiling the so-called Pocket Dictionary of Foreign Words Now Part of the Russian Language (1845–46) along with N.Kirillov and Mikhail Petrashevsky
Mikhail Petrashevsky
Mikhail Vasilyevich Butashevich-Petrashevsky, commonly known as Mikhail Petrashevsky was a Russian thinker and public figure.Mikhail Petrashevsky graduated from the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum and Saint Petersburg State University with a degree in law . He was then employed as a translator and...
himself. There he wrote some major articles: "Analysis", "Criticism", "Ideal", "Drama", "Jounal". The Kirillov's Dictionary, the most obvious result of French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
influence (and an analogue of Voltaire
Voltaire
François-Marie Arouet , better known by the pen name Voltaire , was a French Enlightenment writer, historian and philosopher famous for his wit and for his advocacy of civil liberties, including freedom of religion, free trade and separation of church and state...
's Philosophy Dictionary), in the late 1840s was banned and put out of circulation. In 1849 Ivan Liprandi
Ivan Petrovich Liprandi
Ivan Petrovich Liprandi was a Russian major general, historian and chief of the secret police.-Life:His father headed Russia's arms factories and organised those of Tsar Alexander, before moving from Russia to the Piedmont. Ivan fought in the Napoleonic Wars and then in Odessa under Mikhail...
who investigated the Petrashevsky case, was saying that the dictionary "was full of such daring things which were worse than those in hand-written copies that were circulating around". In 1845 Maykov became a co-editor of the Finsky vestnik (The Finnish Herald) magazine, founded by Fyodor Dershau. The first volume of it opened with Maykov's large (unfinished) article "Social Sciences in Russia" in which he formulated the main thesis of his whole literary legacy: the need for science and arts to be organically linked with social reality. The second part of the article was to be a critical analysis of "the progressive thought in Russia", with Vissarion Belinsky being one of it's main heroes but it was banned by censors and later appeared in miscellaneous fragments.
Maykov's article has been noticed in literary circles, and in 1846 Andrey Krayevsky (on Ivan Turgenev
Ivan Turgenev
Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev was a Russian novelist, short story writer, and playwright. His first major publication, a short story collection entitled A Sportsman's Sketches, is a milestone of Russian Realism, and his novel Fathers and Sons is regarded as one of the major works of 19th-century...
's recommendation) invited Maykov to become an editor of critical department of 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...
, where Belinsky worked. In his first major article, on poet Aleksey Koltsov
Aleksey Koltsov
Aleksey Vasilievich Koltsov was a Russian poet who has been called a Russian Burns. His poems, frequently placed in the mouth of women, stylize peasant-life songs and idealize agricultural labour....
, Maykov came into direct conflict with Belinsky, accusing him of "biased and unfounded criticism" and "literary dictatorship". Belinsky's reply was harsh and this strained made the relationship between Otechestvennye Zapisky and Sovremennik
Sovremennik
Sovremennik was a Russian literary, social and political magazine, published in St. Petersburg in 1836-1866. It came out four times a year in 1836-1843 and once a month after that...
, a Belinsky circle's unofficial base. In spite of this Maykov in 1847 started to collaborate with Sovremennik. The same year he organised his own circle, close to that of Petrashevsky: V.A.Milyutin and M.E.Saltykov-Schedrin
Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin
Mikhail Yevgrafovich Saltykov-Shchedrin , better known by his pseudonym Shchedrin , was a major Russian satirist of the 19th century. At one time, after the death of the poet Nikolai Nekrasov, he acted as editor of the well-known Russian magazine, the Otechestvenniye Zapiski, until it was banned by...
, among others, were its members. By this time Maykov's philosophy changed: inspired by Ludwig Feuerbach and Western Socialists he came up with his own concept of "harmonical man" and "ideal civilisation", seeing, among other things, national and ethnic differences as totally superfluous.
Valerian Maykov’s promising career suddenly came to an end on July 15, 1847. While guesting in Petergof region, he died of a stroke while swimming. He was buried in in a village graveyard of Ropsha
Ropsha
Ropsha is a settlement in Leningrad Oblast, Russia, situated about 20 km south of Peterhof and 49 km south-west of central Saint Petersburg, at an elevation of 80 metres to 130 metres above sea level.-History:...
nearby Saint Petersburgh.
Legacy
After a barrage of obituaries all mourning Russian literature's heavy loss there came ten years of oblivion. In 1861 Fyodor Dostoyevsky wrote warmly of Maykov's short legacy, then in 1868 Ivan Turgenev published a piece on him in his Literary Memoirs. In 1972 Otechestvennye Zapisky magazine embarked on a major analysis of Maykov's works. Critics argued, though, thet the author, A.M.Skabichevsky greatly exagerrated the degree of disagreement between him and Belinsky. In 1886 a large article by K.K.Arsentyev on Maykov and his political activities was published by Vestnik EvropyVestnik Evropy
Vestnik Evropy was the major liberal magazine of late-nineteenth-century Russia; it lasted from 1866 to 1918....
. Years 1891and 1892 saw the renewed interest in Maykov's set of ideas when A.N.Tchudinov in Literary Pantheon (Пантеон Литературы) published his Critical Exercises (Критические опыты), which inspired a lively discussion in Vestnik Evropy, Russkaya Mysl and Istorichesky Vestnik magazines. Later a large article on this work published Akim Volynsky in his Russian Critics series.
According to Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary
Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary
The Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary is, in its scope and style, the Russian counterpart to the Encyclopædia Britannica. It contains 121,240 articles, 7,800 images, and 235 maps...
, Maykov "wasn't a gifted writer in a common sense of the word", his style of writing was "anemic and occasionally murky", his analysis of Herzen and Tyutchev's works not original. Yet author Semyon Vengerov
Semyon Vengerov
Semyon Afanasievich Vengerov was the preeminent literary historian of Imperial Russia. He was the pater familias of an artistic clan that included his sister Isabelle Vengerova, a co-founder of the Curtis Institute in New York City, and nephew Nicolas Slonimsky, a Russian-American...
credited Maykov with being arguably the first "theoretician" critic in Russia who, unlike most of his colleagues was interested not so much in analysis of particulary literary works as with the way these works fitted into his own "rather neat and elaborate aesthetic theory". In fact, Maykov himself (in a letter to Turgenev) admitted that he'd "never meant becoming a critic in terms of evaluating