Ivan Goncharov
Russian novelist of Oblomov and other major works.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Ivan Aleksandrovich Goncharov is remembered as a Russian novelist, chiefly for three works: *The Same Old Story* (1847), *Oblomov* (1859), and *The Precipice* (1869). Besides writing, he held several government posts, working as a censor among them.
Born in Simbirsk to a wealthy merchant family, Goncharov’s status was elevated to nobility because of his grandfather’s military service. He attended a boarding school, then the Moscow College of Commerce, and finally Moscow State University. After graduating, he briefly worked for the Simbirsk governor before moving to Saint Petersburg. There he translated for the government and tutored privately, while also publishing poetry and fiction in private almanacs. His first novel, *The Same Old Story*, came out in *Sovremennik* in 1847.
Goncharov’s most famous novel, *Oblomov*, appeared in *Otechestvennye zapiski* in 1859. His third and final novel, *The Precipice*, was published in *Vestnik Evropy* in 1869. He also wrote literary and theatre criticism. Late in life, he composed a memoir, *An Uncommon Story*, accusing literary rivals—especially Ivan Turgenev—of plagiarizing his work and blocking his European fame. That memoir was published in 1924. Fyodor Dostoevsky ranked Goncharov as a writer of high stature, and Anton Chekhov said Goncharov was “ten heads above me in talent.”
- born
- 18 June 1812 (O.S. 6 June 1812)
- died
- 27 September 1891 (O.S. 15 September 1891)
- field
- Novelist, literary and theatre critic, censor
- nationality
- Russian
- known_for
- Novels The Same Old Story, Oblomov, and The Precipice
Lore & Background
Goncharov was born in Simbirsk into the family of a wealthy merchant; as a reward for his grandfather's military service, they were elevated to Russian nobility status. He was educated at a boarding school, then the Moscow College of Commerce, and finally at Moscow State University. After graduating, he served for a short time in the office of the Governor of Simbirsk, before moving to Saint Petersburg where he worked as government translator and private tutor, while publishing poetry and fiction in private almanacs. His first novel, The Same Old Story, was published in Sovremennik in 1847.
Goncharov's second and best-known novel, Oblomov, was published in 1859 in Otechestvennye zapiski. His third and final novel, The Precipice, was published in Vestnik Evropy in 1869. He also worked as a literary and theatre critic. Towards the end of his life Goncharov wrote a memoir called An Uncommon Story, in which he accused his literary rivals, first and foremost Ivan Turgenev, of having plagiarized his works and prevented him from achieving European fame. The memoir was published in 1924.
Reader's Guide
Goncharov's significance rests primarily on his three novels, which examine the clash between romantic idealism and pragmatic commercialism in 19th-century Russian society. The Same Old Story polarized critics and made its author famous, with the term aduyevschina entering critical discourse. Oblomov, his best-known work, was preceded by the extract Oblomov's Dream published in 1849. His travelogue Frigate 'Pallada', based on a journey through England, Africa, Japan, and back to Russia, received favorable reviews. Fyodor Dostoevsky considered Goncharov an author of high stature, and Anton Chekhov is quoted as stating that Goncharov was '...ten heads above me in talent.' His legacy includes his role as a censor and his late memoir accusing Ivan Turgenev of plagiarism, which was published posthumously in 1924.
Did You Know?
- Goncharov's first novel, The Same Old Story, was published in Sovremennik in 1847.
- He served as a censor in addition to his literary career.
- His travelogue Frigate 'Pallada' was based on a journey aboard the frigate Pallada as secretary to Admiral Yevfimy Putyatin.
- His memoir An Uncommon Story, accusing Ivan Turgenev of plagiarism, was published in 1924.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ivan Goncharov?
Ivan Aleksandrovich Goncharov (1812–1891) was a Russian novelist, literary and theatre critic, and government official. He is chiefly remembered for three major novels published between 1847 and 1869.
What are Ivan Goncharov's major works?
His three principal novels are The Same Old Story (1847), Oblomov (1859), and The Precipice (1869). Together these texts constitute the core of his literary legacy.
What did Ivan Goncharov do for a living outside of writing?
In addition to his authorship, Goncharov occupied several government posts, including the role of censor. He also briefly served under the Simbirsk governor before relocating to Saint Petersburg.
Where was Ivan Goncharov from and what was his background?
He was born in Simbirsk into a wealthy merchant family, and his grandfather's military service later conferred noble status on the household. His education took him through a boarding school, the Moscow College of Commerce, and Moscow State University.
Why is Ivan Goncharov significant to fans of European modernist literature?
Goncharov stands as a key nineteenth-century Russian novelist whose three major works helped define the era's literary conversation. His dual identity as both a creative writer and a government censor adds a distinctive dimension to his place in the broader European literary canon.
More in European Modernists 1-19
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