On January 29, 1837, Alexander Pushkin—widely celebrated as the father of Russian literature—died following a duel at the age of 37. Pushkin was of African descent through his great-grandfather, Abram Petrovich Gannibal, an African nobleman who was brought to Russia and rose to become a general and confidant of Peter the Great. Pushkin’s African ancestry was a source of pride and influence in his identity and writings, making him a towering figure not only in Russian culture but also in the global narrative of Black excellence.

Major Works by Alexander Pushkin

Poetry

• “Ruslan and Ludmila” (1820) – A fantasy epic poem based on Russian folklore.

• “The Bronze Horseman” (1833) – A narrative poem about Peter the Great and a tragic flood in St. Petersburg.

• “The Prophet” (1826) – A spiritual and mystical poem reflecting his philosophical depth.

• “I Loved You” (1829) – One of his most famous love poems.

Drama

• “Boris Godunov” (1825) – A historical drama based on the life of the Russian Tsar, later adapted into an opera by Mussorgsky.

Prose

• “The Queen of Spades” (1834) – A short story about obsession and fate, still widely read and adapted.

• “The Captain’s Daughter” (1836) – A historical novella set during the Pugachev Rebellion, blending romance and politics.

Novel in Verse

• “Eugene Onegin” (1825–1832) – His most famous work, a novel written in verse. It captures Russian aristocratic life and is known for its unique poetic structure (“Onegin stanza”). It was later turned into an opera by Tchaikovsky.