Dmitry Khvostov

Dmitry Ivanovich Khvostov
Portrait by Stepan Shchukin
Portrait by Stepan Shchukin
BornJuly 30 [O.S. July 19] 1757
Saint Petersburg
DiedNovember 2 [O.S. October 22] 1835
Saint Petersburg
OccupationPoetDramatist
NationalityRussian

Count Dmitry Ivanovich Khvostov (Russian: граф Дми́трий Ива́нович Хвосто́в, July 30 [O.S. July 19] 1757 – November 2 [O.S. October 22] 1835), was a Russian poet, representing the late period of classicism in Russian literature.[1] Count Khvostov, as he was widely known, was an exceedingly prolific author of poems, fables, epigrams, etc., invariably archaic and pompous, making him an easy target for humourists and fellow poets (Pushkin among them) who ridiculed him relentlessly. In modern times much has been done to separate the comical myth from Khvostov's real legacy (with some fake 'Khvostovism' exposed) and give credit to an extraordinary poetry enthusiast (who was also an avid literary researcher and archivist), but the stereotype prevails and the name of Count Khvostov remains synonymous in Russia with wanton graphomania and self-important pomposity.[2][3]

  1. ^ "The Works by Dmitry Ivanovich Khvostov". Lib.Ru / The Moshkov Library. Retrieved 2011-10-10.
  2. ^ Korneyev, A. V. (1990). "Khvostov, Dmitry Ivanovich". Russian Writers. Biobibliographical Dictionary. Vol 2. Retrieved 2011-10-10.
  3. ^ "Khvostov, D. I. Biography". Russian Biographical Dictionary. Retrieved 2011-10-10.