Mikhail Yurievich Lermontov (October 15 [October 3 in the old style] 1814, July 27 [July 15 in the old style] 1841) was an outstanding Russian writer, romantic poet, and artist. He is often referred to as the "Caucasian poet" and is considered the most significant Russian poet after Alexander Pushkin, who passed away in 1837. Lermontov was a key figure in Russian Romanticism, and his influence on subsequent Russian literature is still felt today, both through his poetry and prose, which laid the foundations of the tradition of the Russian psychological novel.

On October 3, 2014, a bust of Lermontov was unveiled in Earlston, featuring speeches by Maire Koroleva, a representative of the Lermontov family, and Graham Garvie, a member of the Borders Council.

Lermontov was born in Moscow in October 1814 and was a descendant of a 17th-century Scottish mercenary named George Lermont. He took pride in his Scottish heritage and often mentioned it, referring to the 13th-century lord Thomas Lermont of Earlston, the legendary bard and prophet, who was celebrated by Sir Walter Scott and others as Thomas the Rhymer.