Vladimir Nabokov

Date of Birth: April 22, 1899

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: July 2, 1977

Biography

Vladimir Nabokov was a Russian-American novelist, poet, translator, and entomologist, best known for his novel “Lolita” (1955), which is often cited as one of the greatest works of the 20th century. Born into an aristocratic family in Saint Petersburg, Russia, Nabokov’s early life was marked by privilege and intellectual stimulation. His family fled Russia after the Bolshevik Revolution, leading them to settle in Western Europe. Nabokov studied at the University of Cambridge and later moved to Berlin and Paris, where he began to establish himself as a writer. In 1940, he emigrated to the United States, where he taught at Wellesley College and Cornell University. Nabokov’s works are known for their intricate structure, linguistic playfulness, and deep exploration of aesthetic and philosophical themes. Later in life, he moved to Switzerland, where he continued to write until his death.

5 Interesting Facts about Vladimir Nabokov

1. Nabokov was a polyglot, fluent in Russian, English, and French.

2. He was also an accomplished lepidopterist and discovered several species of butterflies.

3. “Lolita” was initially rejected by multiple American publishers due to its controversial subject matter.

4. Nabokov composed chess problems and published a collection of them.

5. He translated his own works from Russian to English, showcasing his mastery of both languages.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Vladimir Nabokov

1. “Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul.”

2. “I think like a genius, I write like a distinguished author, and I speak like a child.”

3. “It is not the artistic aptitudes that are secondary sexual characters, as some shams and shamans of aesthetics would have you believe, but the other way around: sex is but the ancilla of art.”

4. “There is no science without fancy, and no art without facts.”

5. “The cradle rocks above an abyss, and common sense tells us that our existence is but a brief crack of light between two eternities of darkness.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Nabokov’s net worth was estimated to be around $20 million, largely due to the success of “Lolita” and its adaptations.

Children

Vladimir Nabokov had one child, Dmitri Nabokov, born on May 10, 1934. Dmitri followed in his father’s footsteps to some extent, becoming a multilingual translator, opera singer, and race car driver. He also took responsibility for managing his father’s literary estate.