Alexander Alexandrovich Blok (1880, 1921), an outstanding poet and classic of Russian literature of the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as a playwright. He began his creative journey with symbolism, but after the revolutionary events of 1905 and 1907, his poetry took on a social character. Unlike many of his contemporaries, during the October Revolution, Blok decided to collaborate with the Soviet government.

He was born on November 16 (28), 1880, in St. Petersburg into a family with a high level of culture: his father was a professor, and his mother was a writer. In 1889, he entered the second grade of the Vvedenskaya Gymnasium, which he graduated from in 1898. He then continued his education at St. Petersburg University, first in the law faculty and then in the historical and philological faculty. Interestingly, the rector of the university was his grandfather A.N. Beketov, a well-known botanist.

Blok wrote his first poem at the age of five. At 16, he became interested in acting and aspired to become an actor. In 1903, Blok married Lyubov Mendeleeva, the daughter of the famous scientist D.I. Mendeleev. Andrei Bely was also in love with her, which caused a conflict between him and Blok.

In 1904, his poems were first published in the collection "Poems about the Beautiful Lady." In 1909, Blok and his wife went on vacation to Italy and Germany. During this period, his work was recognized, and he was accepted into the society "Academy," which already included such well-known figures as Valery Bryusov and Mikhail Kuzmin.

Blok's work includes several directions. His early works are permeated with symbolism, while his later poems address social issues. He deeply cared about the fate of humanity, which is reflected in his works such as "The Rose and the Cross" (1912) and the cycles "Retribution" (1907, 1913) and "Yambs" (1907, 1914). One of his most famous poems is "Night, Street, Lantern, Pharmacy."

Blok was also interested in children's literature and wrote many poems, some of which were included in the collections "All Year Round" and "Tales" (both 1913).

During the revolution, Blok did not emigrate and began working at a publishing house in Petrograd. The revolutionary events were reflected in his biography and works, such as the poem "The Twelve" (1918) and articles.

Before his death, Blok was often ill. His request to go abroad for treatment was denied by the Politburo of the Central Committee of the RCP(b), despite Maxim Gorky's petition. After that, Blok refused food and medicine and destroyed his notes. Living in Petrograd in conditions of poverty, he died of heart disease on August 7, 1921.