Gavrila Romanovich Derzhavin | |
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.jpg) Gavrila Derzhavin by Vladimir Borovikovsky | |
| Born | Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin 14 July 1743 Laishevsky Uyezd, Kazan Governorate, Russian Empire |
| Died | 20 July 1816 (aged 73) Zvanka manor, Novgorod Governorate, Russian Empire |
| Occupation | Poet, statesman |
| Period | Neoclassicism |
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Gavriil (Gavrila) Romanovich Derzhavin (Russian: Гаврии́л (Гаври́ла) Рома́нович Держа́вин, IPA: [ɡɐˈvrilə rɐˈmanəvʲɪtɕ dʲɪrˈʐavʲɪn] ; 14 July 1743 – 20 July 1816) was one of the most highly esteemed Russian poets before Alexander Pushkin, as well as a statesman. Although his works are traditionally considered literary classicism, his best verse is rich with antitheses and conflicting sounds in a way reminiscent of John Donne and other metaphysical poets.