Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) was a Russian author and philosopher, celebrated as one of history's greatest literary figures. Born into an aristocratic family, he faced early personal losses, including the deaths of his parents. Tolstoy's literary journey began with the acclaimed semi-autobiographical trilogy Childhood, Boyhood, and Youth (1852-1856), and his experiences in the Crimean War inspired the Sevastopol Sketches (1855), which vividly portrayed the realities of conflict. His masterpieces, War and Peace (1869) and Anna Karenina (1878), are renowned for their sweeping narratives and psychological depth. War and Peace offers a panoramic view of Russian society during the Napoleonic Wars, while Anna Karenina examines themes of love, family, and societal expectations. Tolstoy also penned influential shorter works, including The Death of Ivan Ilyich (1886) and Hadji Murad (1912), which explore profound moral and existential dilemmas. In the 1870s, Tolstoy underwent a spiritual transformation, embracing Christian anarchism and pacifism. Works like Confession (1882) and The Kingdom of God Is Within You (1894) reflect his belief in nonviolence, simplicity, and love, rejecting institutional religion and state authority. These ideas influenced global figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. , solidifying Tolstoy's legacy as a literary genius and a transformative thinker.
