Among the pre-revolutionary elite, there were many talented writers, but unfortunately, not all of them are well-known today. One such unjustly forgotten cultural figure is Nikolai Alexandrovich Leikin. He was born on December 19, 1841, into a merchant family and received his education at a German reform school.

After his studies, Leikin worked for a time as a clerk in an insurance company, but soon became fascinated with commerce. However, his writing talent and love for art prevailed. The young author quickly attracted the attention of readers, promoting his works in the humorous genre and gaining fans.

In the early 1870s, Leikin received an invitation to work for a major daily publication, the "Petersburg Gazette." Gaining experience, he began publishing his own weekly humorous magazine, "Oskolki," which successfully competed with leading publications. Interestingly, even Anton Chekhov began publishing in Leikin's magazine.

Before the revolution, Nikolai Alexandrovich was one of the most famous Russian publicists and writers. His novel "Our People Abroad" went through 24 lifetime editions over a decade and a half, indicating recognition of his mastery. In his later years, Leikin actively participated in the work of the St. Petersburg City Duma and engaged in charity.

Nikolai Alexandrovich lived for 64 years and passed away on January 19, 1906, leaving behind numerous works. After the fall of the Russian Empire, the previous culture largely became unclaimed, and the names of many writers were forgotten along with their works. In our time, Leikin's name is gradually returning, and he even became a character in the feature film "The Admirer." Nevertheless, his fame has not yet reached the level that he deserves for his labor and talent.