Aleksandr Petrovich Sumarokov

Aleksandr Petrovich Sumarokov , 1718-77, Russian dramatist and poet. Sumarokov wrote fables, satires, lyrics, and comic odes in the classical style. His Khorev (1747) and Tresotinius (1750) were respectively the first classical tragedy and comedy in Russian. Enormously prolific, he is considered the first professional man of letters in Russian literature.

Sumarokov, Alexei Petrovich (1718–77), Russian dramatist, who wrote in the neo-classical style imported from Germany and France, but took his subjects from Russian history and in his dialogue endeavoured to refine and purify the Russian language, writing with great intensity and economy. His plays, of which the first, Khorev, was produced in 1749, were acted by students from the Cadet College for sons of the nobility, of which Sumarokov had been one of the first pupils on its foundation in 1732. It was largely owing to his efforts that the first professional Russian company was formed, and in 1756 he was appointed head of the Russian (as distinct from the Italian and French) Theatre in St Petersburg, remaining there until 1761, when his liberal outspokenness caused his plays to be banned and he himself to be dismissed from office.