Boris Pasternak

Date of Birth: February 10, 1890

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: May 30, 1960

Biography

Boris Leonidovich Pasternak was a renowned Russian novelist, poet, and literary translator, best known for his novel “Doctor Zhivago.” Born into a cultured Jewish family in Moscow, Pasternak originally pursued a career in music but later turned to literature. His early works include collections of poetry such as “My Sister, Life” and “Themes and Variations.” Pasternak’s writing was often marked by its lyrical style, philosophical depth, and exploration of the human condition. “Doctor Zhivago,” published in 1957, is considered his magnum opus. The novel, which spans the tumultuous period of the Russian Revolution and the subsequent civil war, was initially banned in the Soviet Union but gained immense popularity in the West. Pasternak was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1958, but under immense pressure from the Soviet government, he declined the honor. Pasternak’s contributions to literature were not limited to his own writings; he also translated works of Shakespeare, Goethe, and other prominent Western authors into Russian. Despite facing political oppression and personal hardships, Pasternak remained a towering figure in Russian literature until his death in 1960.

5 Interesting Facts about Boris Pasternak

1. Pasternak’s father, Leonid Pasternak, was a notable painter and professor at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture.

2. His mother, Rosa Kaufman, was a renowned concert pianist.

3. “Doctor Zhivago” was smuggled out of the Soviet Union and first published in Italy in 1957.

4. Pasternak was a close friend of poet Marina Tsvetaeva and poet and novelist Rainer Maria Rilke.

5. Despite being pressured to decline the Nobel Prize, Pasternak’s acceptance letter was published in Paris, which led to a global outcry against Soviet censorship.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Boris Pasternak

1. “Literature is the art of discovering something extraordinary about ordinary people, and saying with ordinary words something extraordinary.”

2. “I don’t like people who have never fallen or stumbled. Their virtue is lifeless and it isn’t of much value. Life hasn’t revealed its beauty to them.”

3. “Surprise is the greatest gift which life can grant us.”

4. “Man is born to live, not to prepare for life.”

5. “Everything established, everything final, everything that is not subject to change is stifling, it is death.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Boris Pasternak’s highest net worth is difficult to estimate accurately due to the historical context and the lack of detailed financial records. However, his fame and the global success of “Doctor Zhivago” suggest that he achieved significant, albeit not immense, financial success.