Leo Tolstoy

Leo Tolstoy was born into a noble family at Yasnaya Polyana, their family estate in Tula Province, Russian Empire. His parents were Count Nikolai Ilyich Tolstoy and Princess Mariya Nikolayevna Volkonskaya.

Tolstoy began his studies at Kazan University, initially focusing on Oriental languages before switching to law. He found university life unappealing and left without completing his degree.

Seeking a new direction, Tolstoy joined his brother's regiment in the Caucasus, where he served and began writing. This experience influenced his early literary works, including 'Childhood' and 'The Cossacks'.

Tolstoy resigned from the military to dedicate himself fully to writing. He traveled to Europe, where he was exposed to various literary and philosophical movements, which further shaped his worldview and writing style.

Tolstoy married Sophia Andreevna Behrs, a young woman from a well-connected Moscow family. The couple had 13 children, and their relationship was both passionate and tumultuous, providing rich material for his writing.

Tolstoy completed his epic novel 'War and Peace,' which is considered one of the greatest works of world literature. The novel explores the lives of several aristocratic families during the Napoleonic Wars.

Tolstoy published 'Anna Karenina,' another masterpiece that delves into themes of love, marriage, and societal norms. The novel is renowned for its complex characters and deep psychological insights.

Tolstoy underwent a spiritual transformation, renouncing his wealth and adopting a simpler, more ascetic lifestyle. He became a pacifist and Christian anarchist, influencing figures like Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.

Tolstoy's ideas on non-violence and social reform gained a following, leading to the establishment of the Tolstoyan movement. His teachings emphasized simplicity, pacifism, and the rejection of state authority.

In his later years, Tolstoy wrote philosophical and religious works that solidified his legacy as a moral and spiritual leader. 'A Confession' and 'The Kingdom of God is Within You' are key texts in his philosophical corpus.

Leo Tolstoy died of pneumonia at the Astapovo railway station while on a journey away from his home. His death marked the end of a life dedicated to literature, philosophy, and social reform, leaving a profound legacy.