In the 19th century, the ideas of Slavophilism increasingly captured public attention, and the outstanding philosopher, theologian, poet, artist, and publicist Aleksey Stepanovich Khomyakov is considered the founder and ideologist of this movement in Russia.

Aleksey Khomyakov was born on May 13, 1804, in Moscow into a noble family and received an excellent education. At 17, he successfully passed the exam for the degree of candidate of mathematical sciences. Even then, he was actively engaged in poetry, and his works gained wide recognition.

In 1822, at the age of 18, Khomyakov became a cuirassier, and a year later, he joined the horse guards, which was considered a prestigious place of service. In 1825, he unexpectedly left the service and went abroad, where he began working on the lyrical-epic poem "Yermak," infusing it with deep historical and dramatic meaning. Besides the poem, he devoted much time to painting.

Before the war with Turkey, Khomyakov returned to Russia and participated in the campaign of 1828-1829. A significant part of the fighting took place in the Balkans, where the Turks brutally dealt with Christians. It was then that Khomyakov first contemplated the idea of Slavophilism, which he later articulated in the article "Old about the New," ten years after the war.

Khomyakov's philosophical works in the Slavophil direction found a wide response, but their popularity peaked only after his death, when the Russian army liberated the Balkans. In the last years of his life, Khomyakov focused on Christian issues, debated with Jesuits, and criticized the mixing of religion with worldly affairs.

Aleksey Stepanovich opposed the emerging socialism, foreseeing the destructive consequences it would bring in the 20th century. Unfortunately, he died too early to prevent it. During a cholera epidemic, while trying to treat peasants, Khomyakov himself fell ill and passed away on October 5, 1860, at the age of 56.