Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev (1818, 1883) was an outstanding Russian writer and a corresponding member of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences since 1860. His mastery of language and psychological analysis had a significant impact on Russian and world literature.

Turgenev came from an ancient noble family on his father's side, while his mother, born Lutovinova, was a wealthy landowner. The writer's childhood was spent in the estate of Spasskoye-Lutovinovo, where he learned early to feel nature and hate serfdom. In 1827, the family moved to Moscow, where Turgenev studied in private boarding schools and with home tutors, and in 1833 he enrolled in the philological department of Moscow University. In 1834, he transferred to the historical and philological faculty of St. Petersburg University. One of the strong impressions of his youth was his infatuation with Princess E. L. Shakhovskaya, which was reflected in the novella "First Love" (1860).

In 1836, Turgenev showed his poetic attempts to Professor P. A. Pletnev, who invited him to a literary evening, where Turgenev met A. S. Pushkin. In 1838, his poems were published in "Sovremennik". In May of the same year, he went to Germany to continue his education and escape the Russian way of life based on serfdom. In Berlin, he attended lectures, studied classical languages, and interacted with notable figures. After a brief stay in Russia in 1840, he went to Italy, then returned to Berlin, where he met M. A. Bakunin and began a romance with T. A. Bakunina.

In 1843, Turgenev entered the Ministry of Internal Affairs and wrote the poem "Parasha", which received high praise from V. G. Belinsky. His acquaintance with the critic and his circle changed Turgenev's literary orientation. In 1843, he met the singer Polina Viardo, which greatly influenced his life. In 1847, Turgenev went abroad, where he interacted with famous writers and musicians and wrote several works, including "Notes of a Hunter".

In 1852, in response to the death of N. V. Gogol, Turgenev was arrested and exiled to Spasskoye. Until 1856, he lived in Russia, actively communicating with the editorial staff of "Sovremennik" and other writers. During this period, he published several novellas and began a series of novels, starting with "Rudin" (1856), in which he explored relevant socio-political themes.

After a break with "Sovremennik" and a conflict with the younger generation, Turgenev continued to write, delving into mystical and philosophical themes. In 1863, he reconnected with Polina Viardo and lived in Europe, where his fame grew. He maintained ties with Russian revolutionaries and participated in international literary events.

In the last years of his life, Turgenev turned to memoir writing and "Poems in Prose", where he summarized his creative work. He died after a long illness, and his funeral in St. Petersburg became a mass manifestation.