http://rt.

com/all-about-russia/literature/history/ Creation of Russian Lit Adoption of Christianity boosted development of various literatures First literary works were written in Old Church Slavonic, not Russian 988 Vladimir I, Grand Duke of Kyiv, converted to Christianity Made it Russias official religion strengthened ties between Russia, Byzantine Empire, Ancient Rome and Greece First Works Sermon on Law and Grace (1050) is an oration written by the head of the Russian Orthodox Church at the time first original work of Russian lit The Tale of Bygone Years (1113 AKA The Russian Primary Chronicle) is a history associated with the monk Nestor of East Slavic Peoples up to 1110 The Tale of Igors Campaign (1185): plotline based on Prince Igors failed raid against army of Asian nomads written in lyrical poetic language, anonymous narrator Religious scripts codeveloped with folk poetry, songs, epics, fairy tales Late 11th/Early 12th century, Teaching and Wanderings of Daniel fused religious scripts with folk literature 1240 Tatars invaded Kyiv, bringing an end to this period 16th-18th Century Works Tatars occupied most of Russia since 1240; series of upheavals and riots brought political and secular influences to literature Domostroi (House-Orderer) it set the rules for moral behavior and gave instructions for running a household 16th century rise of folkloric poetry, secular story of manners 17th century influence of Western European values, Tsar Peter the Greats fascination with European culture brought printed books to Russia, mostly religious Influence of Western verse; adventure tales (Don Quixote) in The Tale of Sawa Grudtsyn Symeon Polotsky first Russian plays in 1678 By 18th century, written Russian replaced Old Church Slavonic promotion of literature by both Peter and Catherine the Great Mikhail Lomonosov rose from peasant origins to become scientist-writer Gavrila Derzhavin poetry Denis Fonvizin dominated the drama The Brigadier (published 1790) and The Minor (1782) mocked manners and morals of upper classes Journey from St. Petersburg to Moscow (1790) by Aleksandr Radishchev earned a 10year exile to Siberia Nikolay Karamzin developed Russian prose style in travel writings with famous History of the Russian State (1818-1824)

Golden Age of Poetry Alexander Pushkin renowned novel in verse Evgeny Onegin Mikhail Lermontov Fyodr Dostoyevsky examined political and social issues and philosophical/moral problems of Russia Crime and Punishment (1866) Nikolai Gogol Ivan Turgenev Leo Tolstoy Anton Chekhov The Seagull (1896) Silver Age Impressionism and symbolism superseded social realism new type of Russian poets