What was Lon Tolstoy's older brother like? Nikolai Tolstoy in the A. Belousenko library

Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy is one of the greatest novelists in the world. He is not only the world's greatest writer, but also a philosopher, religious thinker and educator. You will learn more about all this from this.

But what he really achieved success in was managing personal diary. This habit inspired him to write his novels and stories, and also allowed him to form most of his life goals and priorities.

An interesting fact is that this nuance of Tolstoy’s biography (keeping a diary) was a consequence of imitation of the great.

Hobbies and military service

Naturally, Leo Tolstoy had it. He loved music extremely much. His favorite composers were Bach, Handel and Chopin.

From his biography it is clear that sometimes he could play works by Chopin, Mendelssohn and Schumann on the piano for several hours in a row.

It is reliably known that Leo Tolstoy’s elder brother, Nikolai, had a plot against him. big influence. He was a friend and mentor of the future writer.

It was Nikolai who invited his younger brother to join military service in the Caucasus. As a result, Leo Tolstoy became a cadet, and in 1854 he was transferred to Sevastopol, where he participated in the Crimean War until August 1855.

Tolstoy's creativity

During his service, Lev Nikolaevich had quite a lot of free time. During this period he wrote autobiographical story“Childhood”, in which he masterfully described the memories of the first years of his life.

This work became important event to compile his biography.

After this, Leo Tolstoy writes the next story - “Cossacks”, in which he describes his army life in the Caucasus.

Work on this work continued until 1862, and was completed only after serving in the army.

An interesting fact is that Tolstoy did not stop his writing even while participating in the Crimean War.

During this period, the story “Adolescence”, which is a continuation of “Childhood,” as well as “Sevastopol Stories” came out from his pen.

After graduation Crimean War Tolstoy leaves the service. Upon arrival home, he already has great fame in the literary field.

His outstanding contemporaries talk about a major acquisition for Russian literature in the person of Tolstoy.

While still young, Tolstoy was distinguished by arrogance and stubbornness, which is clearly visible in his. He refused to belong to any particular school of thought, and once publicly called himself an anarchist, after which he decided to leave for France in 1857.

He soon developed an interest in gambling. But it didn't last long. When he lost all his savings, he had to return home from Europe.

By the way, a passion for gambling is observed in the biographies of many writers.

Despite all the difficulties, he writes the last, third part of his autobiographical trilogy"Youth". This happened in the same 1857.

Since 1862, Tolstoy began publishing the pedagogical magazine Yasnaya Polyana, where he himself was the main employee. However, not having the vocation of a publisher, Tolstoy managed to publish only 12 issues.

Leo Tolstoy's family

September 23, 1862 in the biography of Tolstoy occurs sharp turn: he marries Sofya Andreevna Bers, who was the daughter of a doctor. From this marriage 9 sons and 4 daughters were born. Five of the thirteen children died in childhood.

When the wedding took place, Sofya Andreevna was only 18 years old, and Count Tolstoy was 34 years old. An interesting fact is that before his marriage Tolstoy admitted future wife in their premarital affairs.

For some time, the brightest period began in Tolstoy’s biography.

He is truly happy, largely thanks to the practicality of his wife, material wealth, outstanding literary creativity and, in connection with it, all-Russian and even worldwide fame.

In his wife, Tolstoy found an assistant in all matters, practical and literary. In the absence of the secretary, it was she who rewrote his drafts several times.

However, very soon their happiness is overshadowed by inevitable minor disagreements, fleeting quarrels and mutual misunderstandings, which only worsen over the years.

The fact is that for his family, Leo Tolstoy proposed a kind of “life plan”, according to which he intended to give part of the family income to the poor and schools.

He wanted to significantly simplify his family’s lifestyle (food and clothing), while he intended to sell and distribute “everything unnecessary”: pianos, furniture, carriages.

Naturally, his wife, Sofya Andreevna, was clearly not happy with such an ambiguous plan. Because of this, their first serious conflict broke out, which served as the beginning of an “undeclared war” to ensure the future of their children.

In 1892, Tolstoy signed a separate deed and, not wanting to be the owner, transferred all the property to his wife and children.

It must be said that Tolstoy’s biography is in many ways unusually contradictory precisely because of his relationship with his wife, with whom he lived for 48 years.

Works of Tolstoy

Tolstoy is one of the most prolific writers. His works are large-scale not only in volume, but also in the meanings that he touches on in them.

Most popular works Tolstoy's "War and Peace", "Anna Karenina" and "Resurrection" are considered.

"War and Peace"

In the 1860s, Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy and his entire family lived in Yasnaya Polyana. It was here that he was born famous novel"War and Peace".

Initially, part of the novel was published in “Russian Bulletin” under the title “1805”.

After 3 years, 3 more chapters appear, thanks to which the novel was completely finished. He was destined to become the most outstanding creative result in Tolstoy's biography.

Both critics and the public debated the work “War and Peace” for a long time. The subject of their disputes was the wars described in the book.

Thoughtful but still fictional characters were also hotly debated.

The novel also became interesting because it presented 3 informative satirical essays about the laws of history.

Among all other ideas, Leo Tolstoy tried to convey to the reader that a person’s position in society and the meaning of his life are derivatives of his daily activities.

"Anna Karenina"

After Tolstoy wrote War and Peace, he began work on his second, no less famous novel"Anna Karenina".

The writer contributed many autobiographical essays to it. This can be easily seen by looking at the relationship between Kitty and Levin, the main characters in Anna Karenina.

The work was published in parts between 1873-1877, and was very highly appreciated by both critics and society. Many have noticed that Anna Karenina is practically an autobiography of Tolstoy, written in the third person.

For his next work, Lev Nikolaevich received fabulous fees for those times.

"Resurrection"

In the late 1880s, Tolstoy wrote the novel “Resurrection.” Its plot was based on a true court case. It is in “Resurrection” that the author’s sharp views on church rituals are clearly outlined.

By the way, this work became one of the reasons that led to a complete break between the Orthodox Church and Count Tolstoy.

Tolstoy and religion

Despite the fact that the works described above were a colossal success, it did not bring any joy to the writer.

He was in depressed state and experienced deep inner emptiness.

Due to this, the next stage Tolstoy's biography became a continuous, almost convulsive search for the meaning of life.

Initially, Lev Nikolaevich looked for answers to his questions in the Orthodox Church, but this did not bring him any results.

Over time, he began to criticize in every possible way both the Orthodox Church itself and the Christian religion in general. He began to publish his thoughts on these pressing issues in the publication “Mediator”.

His main position was that Christian teaching good, but Jesus Christ himself seems to be unnecessary. That's why he decided to make his own own translation Gospels.

In general, Tolstoy's religious views were extremely complex and confusing. It was some kind of incredible mixture Christianity and Buddhism, seasoned with various Eastern beliefs.

In 1901, the Holy Governing Synod issued a ruling on Count Leo Tolstoy.

This was a decree that officially announced that Leo Tolstoy was no longer a member of the Orthodox Church, since his publicly expressed beliefs were incompatible with such membership.

The definition of the Holy Synod is sometimes mistakenly interpreted as excommunication (anathema) of Tolstoy from the church.

Copyrights and conflict with my wife

In connection with his new convictions, Leo Tolstoy wanted to give away all his savings and give up his own property in favor of the poor. However, his wife, Sofya Andreevna, expressed a categorical protest in this regard.

In this regard, a major family crisis emerged in Tolstoy’s biography. When Sofya Andreevna found out that her husband had publicly renounced the copyright to all his works (which, in fact, was their main source of income), they began to have fierce conflicts.

From Tolstoy's diary:

“She doesn’t understand, and the children don’t understand when they spend money, that every ruble they live and earn from books is suffering, my shame. It may be a shame, but why weaken the effect that the preaching of the truth could have.”

Of course, it is not difficult to understand Lev Nikolaevich’s wife. After all, they had 9 children, whom he, by and large, left without a livelihood.

Pragmatic, rational and active Sofya Andreevna could not allow this to happen.

Ultimately, Tolstoy drew up a formal will, transferring the rights to his youngest daughter, Alexandra Lvovna, who fully sympathized with his views.

At the same time, an explanatory note was attached to the will that in fact these texts should not become anyone’s property, and V.G. would assume the authority to monitor the processes. Chertkov is a faithful follower and student of Tolstoy, who was supposed to take all the writer’s works, right down to the drafts.

Tolstoy's later work

Tolstoy's later works were realistic fiction, as well as stories filled with moral content.

In 1886, one of Tolstoy’s most famous stories appeared, “The Death of Ivan Ilyich.”

Its main character realizes that most he wasted his life and the realization came too late.

In 1898 Lev Nikolaevich wrote no less famous work"Father Sergius." In it, he criticized his own beliefs that appeared to him after his spiritual rebirth.

The rest of the works are devoted to the theme of art. These include the play “The Living Corpse” (1890) and the brilliant story “Hadji Murat” (1904).

In 1903 Tolstoy wrote short story, which is called “After the Ball.” It was published only in 1911, after the death of the writer.

last years of life

The last years of his biography, Leo Tolstoy was better known as a religious leader and moral authority. His thoughts were aimed at resisting evil using a non-violent method.

During his lifetime, Tolstoy became an idol for the majority. However, despite all his achievements, in his family life there were serious flaws, which became especially worse in old age.

The writer's wife, Sofya Andreevna, did not agree with her husband's views and disliked some of his followers who often came to Yasnaya Polyana.

She said: “How can you love humanity and hate those who are next to you.”

All this could not last long.

In the fall of 1910, Tolstoy, accompanied only by his doctor D.P. Makovitsky leaves Yasnaya Polyana forever. However, he did not have any specific plan of action.

Death of Tolstoy

However, on the way, L.N. Tolstoy felt unwell. First he caught a cold, and then the illness turned into pneumonia, due to which he had to interrupt the trip and take the sick Lev Nikolaevich out of the train at the first large station near the settlement.

This station was Astapovo (now Leo Tolstoy, Lipetsk region).

Rumors about the writer’s illness instantly spread throughout the entire surrounding area and far beyond its borders. Six doctors tried in vain to save the great old man: the disease progressed inexorably.

On November 7, 1910, Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy died at the age of 83. He was buried in Yasnaya Polyana.

“I sincerely regret the death of the great writer, who, during the heyday of his talent, embodied in his works the images of one of the glorious times of Russian life. May the Lord God be his merciful judge.”

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Family

Ilya Andreevich Tolstoy (1757-1820) - grandfather of L. N. Tolstoy

He studied in the Naval Corps, was a midshipman in the navy, later transferred to the Life Guards, to the Preobrazhensky Regiment, and retired in 1793 with the rank of brigadier. Owned estates in Tula province and a magnificent mansion in Moscow, but preferred to live in Polyany, a vast estate in Belevsky district. Ilya Andreevich had four children: two sons (the youngest of them, Ilya, died in childhood) and two daughters. “My grandfather Ilya Andreevich... was..., as I understand him, a limited man, very gentle, cheerful and not only generous, but stupidly wasted, and most importantly, gullible. On his estate... there was a long, non-stop feast, theaters, balls, dinners, skating... it ended with the fact that his wife’s large estate was so entangled in debt that there was nothing to live on, and the grandfather had to procure... the place of governor in Kazan” (L.N. Tolstoy, vol. 34, p. 359).

Pelageya Nikolaevna Tolstaya (née Gorchakova, 1762-1838) - wife of I. A. Tolstoy

The family of princes Gorchakov, dating back to Rurik, became famous in the 18th and especially in the 19th centuries for their military leaders, one of whom, Pelageya Nikolaevna’s second cousin Alexei Ivanovich Gorchakov, was a minister of war, and the other, Andrei Ivanovich, was a military general. Pelageya Nikolaevna - daughter of Prince. Nikolai Ivanovich Gorchakov - “she was narrow-minded, poorly educated - she, like everyone else then, knew French better than Russian (and this was the limit of her education), and very spoiled - first by her father, then by her husband, and then... by her son - woman. In addition, as the daughter of the eldest in the family, she enjoyed great respect from all the Gorchakovs...” (L.N. Tolstoy, vol. 34, p. 359).

Nikolai Sergeevich Volkonsky (1753-1821) - grandfather of L. N. Tolstoy

Information about N. S. Volkonsky is scarce and not always accurate. According to the custom of his time, at the age of 7 he was enrolled in military service, as a young man he served in the guard and in 1787, as part of the retinue of Catherine II, accompanied the empress during her trip to Crimea. In 1794, for unknown reasons, he took leave for two years. With the accession of Paul I, Volkonsky returned to service and was appointed military governor of Arkhangelsk. In 1799 he retired and began raising his only daughter. “My mother lived her childhood partly in Moscow, partly in the village with an intelligent, proud and gifted man, my grandfather Volkonsky” (L.N. Tolstoy, vol. 34, p. 351). “My grandfather was considered a very strict master, but I never heard stories about his cruelties and punishments, so common at that time... I heard only praise for his intelligence, thriftiness and care for the peasants and, in particular, my grandfather’s huge servants” ( Tolstoy L.N. t. 34, p. 351). In 1784, after the death of his father Sergei Fedorovich Volkonsky, Nikolai Sergeevich received the Yasnaya Polyana estate into personal possession and began to develop it. “He probably had a very subtle aesthetic sense. All his buildings are not only durable and comfortable, but extremely elegant. The park he laid out in front of the house is the same” (L.N. Tolstoy, vol. 34, p. 352).

Ekaterina Dmitrievna Volkonskaya (née Trubetskaya, 1749-1792) - wife of N. S. Volkonsky

Ekaterina Dmitrievna - youngest daughter Prince Dmitry Yuryevich Trubetskoy. The Trubetskoy family belonged to the old Russian aristocracy, famous for its liberalism and broad cultural interests. The Volkonskys had two daughters: Varenka, who died in childhood, and Maria. Ekaterina Dmitrievna died when her daughter Maria was barely two years old.

Nikolai Ilyich Tolstoy (1794 - 1837) - father of L. N. Tolstoy

Nikolai Ilyich is the eldest of four children of gr. I. A. Tolstoy. He had all the qualities young man good manners: he knew French perfectly and German languages, was interested in poetry, music, painting, danced the mazurka and waltz... From the age of 6 he was enlisted in the civil service, at the age of 17 he transferred to military service, took part in foreign campaigns against Napoleon (1813-1814). For distinction in battles he received the Order of Vladimir, 4th degree, and the rank of captain. In 1822 he married Maria Nikolaevna Volkonskaya. After the death of his wife, he lived on the Yasnaya Polyana estate, and shortly before his death he moved with his children to Moscow. He died on June 21 in Tula, where he arrived on business, from a “blood stroke,” as stated in the medical report. “The father was of average height, well-built, lively sanguine, with a pleasant face and always sad eyes” (Tolstoy L.N. vol. 34, p. 355). “... Father never humiliated himself before anyone, did not change his lively, cheerful and often mocking tone. And this self-esteem that I saw in him increased my love, my admiration for him” (L.N. Tolstoy, vol. 34, p. 357).

Maria Nikolaevna Tolstaya (née Volkonskaya, 1790-1830) - mother of L. N. Tolstoy

N. S. Volkonsky made sure that his only daughter received an excellent education. Teachers and governesses taught her German, English, Italian And humanities, since childhood, she spoke French as a native speaker. Her father taught her exact sciences. Maria Nikolaevna devoted a lot of time to music lessons and read a lot. Her diaries testify to her undoubted literary talent, which is confirmed by her other works: poems, stories, literary translations. At the age of 19, Maria Nikolaevna was introduced to the high society of St. Petersburg. By the time she entered the world, she had become a sensible, lively and independent girl. She was not a beauty; they said that the most remarkable thing about her appearance was her expressive, radiant eyes. Portraits of her have not survived; only one image of her has reached us - a silhouette in childhood. “... In my idea of ​​her there is only her spiritual appearance, and everything I know about her is wonderful...” (L.N. Tolstoy, vol. 34, p. 349). On July 9, 1822, Maria Nikolaevna married N.I. Tolstoy. Over the 8 years of marriage, five children were born into their family: Nikolai, Sergei, Dmitry, Lev and Maria. Six months after the birth of her daughter, Maria Nikolaevna died of “childbirth fever,” as they said then. “She seemed to me such a high, pure, spiritual being that she often middle period in my life, during the struggle with the temptations that beset me, I prayed to her soul, asking her to help me, and this prayer always helped me” (L.N. Tolstoy, vol. 34, p. 354).

Tatyana Aleksandrovna Ergolskaya (1792-1874)

After the death of her mother, Tatyana Alexandrovna was raised in the family of I. A. Tolstoy. She probably loved L.N. Tolstoy's father, but did not marry him so that he could marry the wealthy heiress M.N. Volkonskaya. Both of these generous women became friends, and after the death of Maria Nikolaevna, Tatyana Alexandrovna took upon herself the care of the orphaned children. “... Aunt Tatyana Alexandrovna had the greatest influence on my life. This influence was, firstly, in the fact that even in childhood she taught me the spiritual pleasure of love... The second is that she taught me the delights of a leisurely, lonely life” (Tolstoy L.N. vol. 34, p. 366 -367). “She never taught how to live in words, she never read moral teachings, everything moral work was processed inside her, and only her deeds came out - and not deeds - there were no deeds, but her whole life, calm, meek, submissive and loving, not anxious, admiring herself, but with a quiet, imperceptible love" (Tolstoy L. N. t. 34, p. 368).

Nikolai Nikolaevich Tolstoy (1823-1860) - elder brother of L. N. Tolstoy

Of the brothers, Nikolai was more like his mother than others; he inherited from her not only character traits: “indifference to people’s judgments and modesty...” (Tolstoy L.N. vol. 34, p. 350), tolerance towards others. “The most dramatic expression of a negative attitude towards a person was expressed by his brother with subtle, good-natured humor and the same smile” (Tolstoy L.N. vol. 34, p. 350). Like his mother, he had an inexhaustible imagination, the gift of storytelling. extraordinary stories. About Nikolai Nikolaevich I. S. Turgenev said that “he did not have those shortcomings that are needed in order to be a great writer...” (L. N. Tolstoy, vol. 34, p. 350). Nikolai told this younger brothers, “that he has a secret, through which, when it is revealed, all people will become happy, there will be no illnesses, no troubles, no one will be angry with anyone and everyone will love each other... ... Main secret... was, as he told us, written on a green stick, and this stick was buried by the road, on the edge of the Old Order ravine...” (Tolstoy L.N. vol. 34, p. 386). Nikolai Nikolaevich studied at the Faculty of Mathematics of Moscow University, and in 1844 he graduated from Kazan University. In 1846 he entered military service and was enlisted in an artillery brigade going to the Caucasus. In 1858 he retired with the rank of staff captain and spent time in his small house in Moscow and in Nikolskoye-Vyazemsky. In May 1860 he went for treatment to Soden, Germany, then moved to the south of France, to Gier, where he died of tuberculosis on September 20, 1860 at the age of 37 years.

Sergei Nikolaevich Tolstoy (1826-1904) - elder brother of L. N. Tolstoy

Sergei Nikolaevich stood out among his brothers for his stature and beauty, he was witty, brilliant, multi-talented, and easily achieved success in his studies. “I respected Nikolenka, I was friends with Mitenka, but I admired and imitated Seryozha, loved him, wanted to be him. I admired his handsome appearance, his singing - he always sang - his drawing, his joy and, in particular, oddly enough to say, his spontaneity, his selfishness... I loved Nikolenka, and I admired Seryozhey as if he were something completely alien to me, incomprehensible. It was human life, very beautiful, but completely incomprehensible to me, mysterious and therefore especially attractive (Tolstoy L.N. vol. 34, pp. 387-388). S. N. Tolstoy graduated from the mathematics department of Kazan University in 1849, where he was a student of the great Lobachevsky. In 1855-1856 he took part in the war with Turkey, and in 1856 he retired with the rank of staff captain. In 1876-1885. was the leader of the nobility of Krapivensky district. In 1867, he married M. M. Shishkina, a “state gypsy peasant woman,” with whom he had been in a civil marriage since 1850. The children of Sergei Nikolaevich: son Grigory, daughters Vera and Varvara were not happy and brought more grief to their father than joy. . Once a brilliant aristocrat, cheerful, sociable, in old age Sergei Nikolaevich became irritable, lived secludedly on his estate Pirogovo, where he died on August 23, 1904.

Dmitry Nikolaevich Tolstoy (1827-1856) - elder brother of L. N. Tolstoy

“... He grew up unnoticed, communicating little with people, always, except in moments of anger, quiet, serious, with thoughtful, stern, large brown eyes. He was tall, thin, quite strong..., with long big hands and a stooped back." “He was always serious, thoughtful, pure, decisive, quick-tempered, courageous, and what he did he brought to the limit of his strength” (L.N. Tolstoy, vol. 34, p. 380). In 1847, Dmitry Nikolaevich graduated from the Faculty of Mathematics of Kazan University, tried to enter the civil service in St. Petersburg, but not finding support, he entered a modest position in Kursk province. Owned the Shcherbachevka estate. Died of consumption on January 21, 1856.

Maria Nikolaevna Tolstaya (1830-1912) - younger sister L. N. Tolstoy

Maria Nikolaevna studied at the Kazan Rodionovsky boarding school for noble maidens. I. S. Turgenev, who once had affection for her tender feelings, wrote about her: “...one of the most attractive creatures I have ever met! Sweet, smart, simple - eye I wouldn’t take it away... - I haven’t seen so much grace, such touching charm for a long time” (S. M. Tolstoy, “The Only Sister”). In 1847 she married Count. Valerian Petrovich Tolstoy, her second cousin, with whom she separated in 1857. From this marriage she had 4 children. In 1861, while traveling abroad, she met Viscount Hector de Clain, from whose civil marriage a daughter, Elena Sergeevna, was born. Returning from abroad, she lived with her brother Sergei Nikolaevich in Pirogovo, where a house was built for her. She owned her mother's estate Pokrovskoye in the Chernsky district of the Tula province. After the premature death of her son Nikolai in 1879, Maria Nikolaevna experienced a period of deepened religious quest. In 1888 she visited Optina Pustyn, met and talked with Elder Ambrose, in 1889 she settled near Optina Pustyn, in the Shamordino Monastery, and in 1891 she took monastic vows. Having lived in the monastery for 21 years, she left the best memory there.

Alexandra Ilyinichna Osten-Sacken (1795-1841) - aunt of L. N. Tolstoy, guardian of the children of N. I. Tolstoy’s deceased brother

As a young girl, she shone in St. Petersburg society and was the queen of the ball more than once. Unsuccessful marriage with Count Karl Ivanovich Osten-Sacken, who suffered from a mental disorder, turned her from a carefree, cheerful, flirtatious girl into a recluse, a “boring praying mantis,” as she called herself. “Auntie... was a truly religious woman. Her favorite pastimes were reading the lives of saints, conversations with wanderers, holy fools, monks and nuns... Aunt Alexandra Ilyinichna was not only outwardly religious, observed fasts, prayed a lot..., but she herself lived a truly Christian life, trying to avoid all luxury and services, but trying, as much as possible, to serve others” (L.N. Tolstoy, vol. 34, p. 363).

Sofya Andreevna Tolstaya (née Bers, born August 22, 1844; died November 4, 1919) - wife of L. N. Tolstoy

Sofya Andreevna is the second daughter of the Moscow doctor Andrei Evstafievich and Lyubov Aleksandrovna Bers. Having received good home education, in 1861 she passed the exam at Moscow University for the title of home teacher. In 1862, Sofya Andreevna married L.N. Tolstoy. The first years of their married life were the happiest. Tolstoy wrote in his diary after his marriage: “Incredible happiness... It cannot be that this all ends only in life” (L.N. Tolstoy, vol. 19, p. 154). Tolstoy’s friend I.P. Borisov remarked about the couple in 1862: “She is a beauty, all good looking. She is smart, simple and uncomplicated - she should also have a lot of character, that is, her will is in her command. He's in love with her before Sirius. No, the storm in his soul has not yet calmed down - it has calmed down with the honeymoon, and there will probably still be hurricanes and seas of angry noise." These words turned out to be prophetic; in the 80-90s, as a result of Tolstoy’s change in views on life, discord occurred in the family. Sofya Andreevna, who did not share her husband’s new ideas, his desire to renounce property and live by his own, mainly physical labor, still understood perfectly well to what moral and human heights he had risen. In the book “My Life,” Sofya Andreevna wrote: “... He expected from me, my poor, dear husband, that spiritual unity that was almost impossible given my material life and worries, from which it was impossible and nowhere to escape. I would not have been able to share his spiritual life in words, but to bring it to life, to break it, dragging a whole big family, was unthinkable, and even unbearable.” For many years, Sofya Andreeva remained her husband’s faithful assistant in his affairs: a copyist of manuscripts, a translator, a secretary, and a publisher of his works. Possessing a subtle literary sense, she wrote novels, children's stories, and memoirs. Throughout her life, with short breaks, Sofya Andreevna kept a diary, which is described as a noticeable and unique phenomenon in memoirs and literature about Tolstoy. Her hobbies were music, painting, photography. The departure and death of Tolstoy had a hard effect on Sofya Andreevna, she was deeply unhappy, she could not forget that before his death she had not seen her husband conscious. On November 29, 1910, she wrote in the Diary: “Unbearable melancholy, remorse, weakness, pity to the point of suffering for my late husband... I can’t live.” After Tolstoy's death, Sofya Andreevna continued her publishing activities, releasing her correspondence with her husband, and completed the publication of his collected works. Sofya Andreevna died on November 4, 1919. Knowing that her role in the life of L.N. Tolstoy was assessed ambiguously, she wrote: “... Let people treat with condescension the one who, perhaps, was not able to bear from a young age. on weak shoulders there is a high destiny - to be the wife of a genius and a great man.”

Sergei Lvovich Tolstoy (born June 28, 1863; died December 23, 1947) - son of L. N. Tolstoy

In 1872, L. N. Tolstoy, in a letter to A. A. Tolstoy, described his son as follows: “The eldest, blond, is not stupid. There is something weak and patient in his expression and very meek... Everyone says he looks like my older brother. I'm afraid to believe. That would be too good. Main feature brother was not selfishness and not self-sacrifice, but a strict middle.... Seryozha is smart - a mathematical mind and a sensitivity to art, he studies well, is agile in jumping, gymnastics; but gauche (clumsy, French) and absent-minded.” Sergei Lvovich studied at the Tula gymnasium, in 1881 he entered Moscow University at the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics, the department of natural sciences, and at the same time attended courses at the conservatory, studied music theory, composition and the features of Russian song. After graduating from university, he worked in the Tula branch of the peasant bank, then went to St. Petersburg, served in the management of the peasant bank. In 1890, he was appointed to the post of zemstvo chief of one of the districts of the Tula province. Sergei Lvovich was married in his first marriage to Maria Konstantinovna Rachinskaya, and in his second marriage to Maria Nikolaevna Zubova. In 1898-1899 was involved in the resettlement of the Doukhobors to Canada. Sergei Lvovich was seriously involved in music, from 1926 to 1930 he was a professor at the Moscow Conservatory, known as the author of musical works: “Twenty-seven Scottish Songs”, “Belgian Songs”, “Hindu Songs and Dances”; wrote romances based on poems by Pushkin, Fet, Tyutchev. He was engaged and literary activity, wrote stories about the life of the people, memoirs, biographical essays. He was one of the founders of the Leo Tolstoy Museum in Moscow, took part in commenting Full meeting works of L. N. Tolstoy. Awarded the Order Red Banner of Labor. He died in 1947 at the age of 84.

Tatyana Lvovna Tolstaya - Sukhotina (born October 4, 1864; died September 21, 1950) - daughter of L. N. Tolstoy

Tatyana Lvovna combines the characteristics of both her parents. Created from flesh and blood, she, like her father, fought against their dominance. From her mother she inherited practicality, the ability to do the most different things Like her mother, she loved toilets, entertainment, and was not without vanity. Tatyana was equally close to both her father and her mother. In 1872, L.N. Tolstoy, in a letter to A.A. Tolstoy, gave his daughter the following description: “Tanya is 8 years old. If she were Adam's eldest daughter and if there were no children smaller than her, she would be an unhappy girl. Her best pleasure is to tinker with little ones... her dream now is conscious - to have children... She does not like to work with her mind, but the mechanism of her head is good. She will be a wonderful woman if God gives her a husband...” Tatyana Lvovna showed early ability to draw. In 1881 she entered the School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture in Moscow. Her teachers were V. G. Perov, I. M. Pryanishnikov, L. O. Pasternak. She often turned for instructions to N.N. Ge, who in 1886 wrote to her: “I am glad that you want to take up art. You have great abilities, but know that abilities without love for your work will not do anything.” In 1899, Tatyana married Mikhail Sergeevich Sukhotin, they lived on the estate of Sukhotin Kochety. November 19, 1905 Tatyana Lvovna gave birth only daughter Tanya. From 1914 to 1921 she lived in Yasnaya Polyana. From 1917 to 1923 she was the curator of the estate museum. In 1923 - 1925 was the director of the Leo Tolstoy Museum in Moscow. In 1925, together with her daughter, Tatyana Lvovna went abroad, lived in Paris, where her guests were Bunin, Maurois, Chaliapin, Stravinsky, Alexander Benois and many other representatives of culture and art. From Paris she moved to Italy, where she spent the rest of her life.

Ilya Lvovich Tolstoy (born May 22, 1866; died December 11, 1933) - son of L. N. Tolstoy

L.N. Tolstoy in 1872, characterizing his children, prophetically wrote about this son: “Ilya, the third... Broad-boned, white, ruddy, shining. He studies poorly. Always thinking about what he is not told to think about. He invents games himself. He is neat, thrifty, and “what’s mine” is very important to him. Hot and violent (impulsive), now fight; but also gentle and very sensitive. Sensual - he loves to eat and lie quietly... Everything that is unlawful has a charm for him... Ilya will die if he does not have a strict and beloved leader.” The character traits noted by my father became more acute with age. A talented man, but more of a pleasure-loving person, he was unable to realize his abilities and became scattered in numerous hobbies. Despite his talent, he did not finish high school. He entered military service in the Sumy Dragoon Regiment. In 1888 he married Sofya Nikolaevna Filosofova. Constantly experiencing financial difficulties, Ilya Lvovich alternately served as an official, a bank employee, an agent of the Russian social insurance company, and an agent for the liquidation of private estates. During the First World War he worked in the Red Cross, tried to become a journalist, and in 1915 he founded the newspaper “ New Russia" According to L.N. Tolstoy, Ilya was the most literary gifted of all the children. In 1916, Ilya Lvovich left Russia and went to the USA. In America he married theosophist Nadezhda Klimentyevna Katulskaya. He made his living by giving lectures on Tolstoy’s work and worldview, and took part in film adaptations of the novels “Anna Karenina” and “Resurrection,” which were unsuccessful. Died on December 11, 1933 in New Haven (USA).

Lev Lvovich was one of the most talented in the family. L.N. Tolstoy described his three-year-old son as follows: “Pretty: dexterous, attentive, graceful. Every dress fits as if it were made for it. Everything that others do, he does, and everything is very clever and good. I still don’t understand it well.” Passionate, generous, sensitive to beauty and nobility, ambitious, he was a musician, a portrait painter, a sculptor, a writer, and a journalist. Lev Lvovich graduated from the L. I. Polivanov gymnasium, then for a year he studied at the medical faculty of Moscow University, and in 1889 -1892. - in historical and philological. He served as a private in the 4th Infantry Battalion of the Imperial Family in Tsarskoe Selo. In his youth, Lev Lvovich was passionately interested in his father’s ideas, but later his thoughts began to take a direction opposite to Tolstoy’s views. Lev Lvovich dreamed of becoming a great writer and moral philosopher, and was seriously involved in literature. L.N. Tolstoy wrote to his son on November 30, 1890: “You, I think, have what is called talent and... the ability to see, notice and convey...”. In 1896, Lev Lvovich married the daughter of the famous Swedish doctor Dora Westerlund. In 1918 he emigrated and lived in France, Italy, and Sweden. In exile he continued to study literature, painting, and sculpture. He perfected his talent as a sculptor under the great Auguste Rodin. Died on December 18, 1945 in Sweden.

Maria Lvovna Tolstaya-Obolenskaya (born February 12, 1871; died November 27, 1906) - daughter of L. N. Tolstoy

When Maria was two years old, her father wrote about her: “A weak, sickly child. Like milk, white body, curly white hairs; big, strange, Blue eyes: strange in their deep, serious expression. Very smart and ugly. This will be one of the mysteries. He will suffer, he will search, he will find nothing; but will forever seek the most inaccessible.” Maria admired her father from childhood. Having read his religious and philosophical works, she completely believed in his ideas and became, in theory and practice, the most consistent hoodie of all the writer's children. Smart, tactful, brilliantly knew several foreign languages, she became her father's best friend and assistant. Following his ideas, she renounced her share of the inheritance during the division of property in 1892, did not go out into the world, physically worked until exhaustion, taught peasant children to read and write, and treated peasant women. Alexandra Lvovna, Maria’s younger sister, wrote about her in her memoirs: “... Everyone loved her, she was friendly and sensitive: whoever she met, there was something for everyone. sweet Nothing, and she didn’t do it artificially, but naturally, as if she felt which string to press so that the opposite one would sound.” On June 2, 1897, Maria Lvovna married Nikolai Leonidovich Obolensky, her second cousin. Maria Lvovna died on November 27, 1906 at the age of 35 from pneumonia.

Pyotr Lvovich Tolstoy - son of L. N. Tolstoy

Nikolai Lvovich Tolstoy - son of L. N. Tolstoy

Varvara Lvovna Tolstaya - daughter of L. N. Tolstoy

born and died November 1875

Andrei Lvovich Tolstoy (1877-1916) - son of L. N. Tolstoy

Andrei Lvovich was loved by many for his kindness, generosity, and nobility. He was an impetuous, passionate man, brave and self-confident. He loved his mother very much, who adored him and forgave him everything. His father, appreciating Andrei’s kindness, “the most precious and important quality, which is more valuable than anyone else in the world,” advised him to apply his ideas for the benefit of the people. Andrei Lvovich did not share his father’s views, believing that if he was a nobleman, he should enjoy all the privileges and advantages that his position gave him. He studied at the Polivanov gymnasium and the Katkovsky Lyceum, but did not complete the course. In 1895 he entered military service as a volunteer. Participated in Russo-Japanese War with the rank of non-commissioned officer as a mounted orderly. He was wounded in the war and received the St. George Cross for bravery. In 1907, he entered the service as an official of special assignments under the Tula governor. His first marriage was to Olga Konstantinovna Diterikhs, his second to Ekaterina Vasilievna Goryainova, after his first husband Artsimovich. Andrei Lvovich’s second wife left her husband, the governor, and six children for his sake. Tolstoy strongly disapproved of his son’s lifestyle, but said about him: “I don’t want to love him, but I love him because he is genuine and does not want to appear to others.” Andrei Lvovich died on February 24, 1916 in Petrograd from general blood poisoning.

Mikhail Lvovich Tolstoy (1879-1944) - son of L. N. Tolstoy

Mikhail Lvovich was a calm, healthy, cheerful child, full of life and those who hate quarrels. He studied at the Polivanov gymnasium, then at the Katkovsky Lyceum, but did not show any inclination towards learning. Like his brothers and sisters, he was musically gifted, learned to play the balalaika, harmonica, and piano masterfully, composed romances, and learned to play the violin. Everyone loved him for his spontaneity and humor. In 1899 served as a volunteer in the 3rd Dragoon Sumy Regiment, in 1900. promoted to warrant officer in the army cavalry reserve. In 1901 he married Alexandra Vladimirovna Glebova. During the First World War, he served in the 2nd Dagestan Regiment of the Caucasian Native Cavalry Division. In 1914-1917 participated in battles on the Southwestern Front. He was nominated for the Order of St. Anne, 4th degree. In 1920 emigrated and lived in Turkey, Yugoslavia, France and Morocco. In Morocco, like all his relatives, he put pen to paper. Died on October 19, 1944 in Morocco.

Alexey Lvovich Tolstoy - son of L. N. Tolstoy

Alexandra Lvovna Tolstaya (1884-1979) - daughter of L. N. Tolstoy

Alexandra Lvovna received an excellent education at home. She was a difficult child. Her mentors were governesses and older sisters, who worked with her more than Sofya Andreevna. Her father also had little contact with her as a child. When Alexandra turned 16 years old, she became close to her father. Since then, she devoted her whole life to him. She did secretarial work and mastered shorthand and typing. According to Tolstoy's will, Alexandra Lvovna received copyrights to literary heritage father. During the First World War, she completed courses for nurses and voluntarily went to the front, serving on the Turkish and North-Western fronts. For her participation in the war, for her inexhaustible energy, for her organizational skills, for dedication and courage, she was awarded three St. George Crosses and awarded the rank of colonel. After the war, Alexandra Lvovna devoted herself to preserving and disseminating spiritual heritage father, took part in the publication of “Posthumous works of art L. N. Tolstogodgotovka Complete Works. In 1920, she was arrested by the GPU and sentenced to three years in the Novospassky Monastery camp. Thanks to the petition of the peasants of Yasnaya Polyana, she was released in 1921, she returned to her native estate, and after the decree of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee she became the curator of the museum. Over the next 8 years, she organized a cultural and educational center in Yasnaya Polyana, opened a school, a hospital, and a pharmacy. In 1924, slanderous articles about Alexandra Lvovna began to appear in the press, in which she was accused of mismanagement of affairs. In 1929, she decided to leave Russia, went to Japan, then to the USA. Abroad, she gave lectures about L.N. Tolstoy at many universities, and in 1939 she organized and headed the Tolstoy Foundation to help all Russian refugees, whose branches are now located in many countries. In 1941, she accepted American citizenship. Her charitable work has been recognized throughout the world. Alexandra Lvovna died on September 26, 1979 in Valley Cottage, New York.

Ivan Lvovich Tolstoy (born March 31, 1888, died February 23, 1895) - son of L. N. Tolstoy

The last son of L.N. Tolstoy was unusually similar to his father. He had grey-blue eyes, seeing and understanding more than he could express in words. Tolstoy believed that this son would continue his work on earth after his death, a work of love for people. The parents' hopes did not come true. Vanechka (as he was most often called in the family) died in Moscow at one and a half days old from fulminant scarlet fever, when he was 7 years old.

To the question what was the elder brother of L.N. Tolstov asked by the author Danila Ptushkin the best answer is

...The main secret... was, as he told us, written on a green stick, and this stick was buried by the road, on the edge of the Old Order ravine...” (Tolstoy L.N. vol. 34, p. 386).
Nikolai Nikolaevich studied at the Faculty of Mathematics of Moscow University, and in 1844 he graduated from Kazan University. In 1846 he entered military service and was enlisted in an artillery brigade going to the Caucasus. In 1858, he retired with the rank of staff captain and spent time in his small house in Moscow and Nikolskoye-Vyazemsky. In May 1860 he went for treatment to Soden, Germany, then moved to the south of France, to Gier, where he died of tuberculosis on September 20, 1860 at the age of 37 years.

Answer from wow, talking fish![guru]
Of the brothers, Nikolai was more like his mother than others; he inherited from her not only character traits: “indifference to people’s judgments and modesty...” (Tolstoy L.N. vol. 34, p. 350), tolerance towards others. “The most dramatic expression of a negative attitude towards a person was expressed by his brother with subtle, good-natured humor and the same smile” (Tolstoy L.N. vol. 34, p. 350). Like his mother, he had an inexhaustible imagination, the gift of telling extraordinary stories. About Nikolai Nikolaevich I.S. Turgenev said that “he did not have those shortcomings that are needed in order to be a great writer...” (Tolstoy L.N. vol. 34, p. 350). It was Nikolai who told his younger brothers “that he has a secret, through which, when it is revealed, all people will become happy, there will be no illnesses, no troubles, no one will be angry with anyone and everyone will love each other...” The main secret... was, as he told us, written on a green stick, and this stick was buried by the road, on the edge of the Old Order ravine...” (Tolstoy L.N. vol. 34, p. 386). Nikolai Nikolaevich studied at the Faculty of Mathematics of Moscow University, and in 1844 he graduated from Kazan University. In 1846 he entered military service and was enlisted in an artillery brigade going to the Caucasus. In 1858, he retired with the rank of staff captain and spent time in his small house in Moscow and Nikolskoye-Vyazemsky. In May 1860 he went for treatment to Soden, Germany, then moved to the south of France, to Gier, where he died of tuberculosis on September 20, 1860 at the age of 37 years.

Answer from Hear[guru]
I didn’t have the good fortune to know who TOLSTOV was.

Answer from Clubfoot[newbie]
uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Answer from I-beam[newbie]
THX

Answer from Vasya Myalovsky[newbie]
Nikolai Nikolaevich Tolstoy (1823-1860) - the elder brother of L. N. Tolstoy.
Of the brothers, Nikolai was more like his mother than others; he inherited from her not only character traits: “indifference to people’s judgments and modesty...” (Tolstoy L.N. vol. 34, p. 350), tolerance towards others. “The most dramatic expression of a negative attitude towards a person was expressed by his brother with subtle, good-natured humor and the same smile” (Tolstoy L.N. vol. 34, p. 350).
Like his mother, he had an inexhaustible imagination, the gift of telling extraordinary stories. About Nikolai Nikolaevich I.S. Turgenev said that “he did not have those shortcomings that are needed in order to be a great writer...” (Tolstoy L.N. vol. 34, p. 350). It was Nikolai who told his younger brothers “that he has a secret, through which, when it is revealed, all people will become happy, there will be no illnesses, no troubles, no one will be angry with anyone and everyone will love each other...”
Nikolai Nikolaevich studied at the Faculty of Mathematics of Moscow University, and in 1844 he graduated from Kazan University. In 1846 he entered military service and was enlisted in an artillery brigade going to the Caucasus. In 1858, he retired with the rank of staff captain and spent time in his small house in Moscow and Nikolskoye-Vyazemsky. In May 1860 he went for treatment to Soden, Germany, then moved to the south of France, to Gier, where he died of tuberculosis on September 20, 1860 at the age of 37 years.

Answer from Yovetlana Zabolotnaya[newbie]
he was indifferent

Answer from Olga Sokolnikova[active]
Thank you

Answer from Diana Queen[newbie]
Of the brothers, Nikolai was more like his mother than others; he inherited from her not only character traits: “indifference to people’s judgments and modesty...” (Tolstoy L.N. vol. 34, p. 350), tolerance towards others. “The most dramatic expression of a negative attitude towards a person was expressed by his brother with subtle, good-natured humor and the same smile” (Tolstoy L.N. vol. 34, p. 350). Like his mother, he had an inexhaustible imagination, the gift of telling extraordinary stories. About Nikolai Nikolaevich I.S. Turgenev said that “he did not have those shortcomings that are needed in order to be a great writer...” (Tolstoy L.N. vol. 34, p. 350). It was Nikolai who told his younger brothers, “that he has a secret, through which, when it is revealed, all people will become happy, there will be no illnesses, no troubles, no one will be angry with anyone and everyone will love each other... Home the secret... was, as he told us, written on a green stick, and this stick was buried by the road, on the edge of the Old Order ravine...” (Tolstoy L.N. vol. 34, p. 386). Nikolai Nikolaevich studied at the Faculty of Mathematics of Moscow University, and in 1844 he graduated from Kazan University. In 1846 he entered military service and was enlisted in an artillery brigade going to the Caucasus. In 1858, he retired with the rank of staff captain and spent time in his small house in Moscow and Nikolskoye-Vyazemsky. In May 1860 he went for treatment to Soden, Germany, then moved to the south of France, to Gier, where he died of tuberculosis on September 20, 1860 at the age of 37 years.

Answer from Ekaterina Smirnova[newbie]
Nikolai Nikolaevich Tolstoy (1823-1860) - the elder brother of L. N. Tolstoy.
Of the brothers, Nikolai was more like his mother than others; he inherited from her not only character traits: “indifference to people’s judgments and modesty...” (Tolstoy L.N. vol. 34, p. 350), tolerance towards others. “The most dramatic expression of a negative attitude towards a person was expressed by his brother with subtle, good-natured humor and the same smile” (Tolstoy L.N. vol. 34, p. 350).
Like his mother, he had an inexhaustible imagination, the gift of telling extraordinary stories. About Nikolai Nikolaevich I.S. Turgenev said that “he did not have those shortcomings that are needed in order to be a great writer...” (Tolstoy L.N. vol. 34, p. 350). It was Nikolai who told his younger brothers “that he has a secret, through which, when it is revealed, all people will become happy, there will be no illnesses, no troubles, no one will be angry with anyone and everyone will love each other...”
...The main secret... was, as he told us, written on a green stick, and this stick was buried by the road, on the edge of the Old Order ravine...” (Tolstoy L.N. vol. 34, p. 386) .

Answer from Yovetlana Sagitova[newbie]
All people have a responsibility to live in peace and love each other

Answer from Yofya Ruzmanova[newbie]
Nikolay

Answer from Vladik Shitakov[newbie]
Nikolai Nikolaevich Tolstoy (1823-1860) - the elder brother of L. N. Tolstoy.
Of the brothers, Nikolai was more like his mother than others; he inherited from her not only character traits: “indifference to people’s judgments and modesty...” (Tolstoy L.N. vol. 34, p. 350), tolerance towards others. “The most dramatic expression of a negative attitude towards a person was expressed by his brother with subtle, good-natured humor and the same smile” (Tolstoy L.N. vol. 34, p. 350).
Like his mother, he had an inexhaustible imagination, the gift of telling extraordinary stories. About Nikolai Nikolaevich I.S. Turgenev said that “he did not have those shortcomings that are needed in order to be a great writer...” (Tolstoy L.N. vol. 34, p. 350). It was Nikolai who told his younger brothers “that he has a secret, through which, when it is revealed, all people will become happy, there will be no illnesses, no troubles, no one will be angry with anyone and everyone will love each other...”
...The main secret... was, as he told us, written on a green stick, and this stick was buried by the road, on the edge of the Old Order ravine...” (Tolstoy L.N. vol. 34, p. 386) .
Nikolai Nikolaevich studied at the Faculty of Mathematics of Moscow University, and in 1844 he graduated from Kazan University. In 1846 he entered military service and was enlisted in an artillery brigade going to the Caucasus. In 1858, he retired with the rank of staff captain and spent time in his small house in Moscow and Nikolskoye-Vyazemsky. In May 1860 he went for treatment to Soden, Germany, then moved to the south of France, to Gier, where he died of tuberculosis on September 20, 1860 at the age of 37 years.

Tolstoy Nikolai Ilyich on Wikipedia
Tolstoy Nikolai Ilyich

Tolstoy Nikolai Nikolaevich on Wikipedia
Look at the Wikipedia article about Tolstoy Nikolai Nikolaevich

(1823–1860) - brother of L. N. Tolstoy. Nikolai was more like his mother than the other brothers. He was the only one of the children who remembered her. Nikolai inherited from his mother not only character traits, but also her talent. He had an inexhaustible imagination, told his brothers stories so that they listened to him with bated breath. About Nikolai Nikolaevich I. S. Turgenev said that “he did not have those shortcomings that are needed in order to be a great writer...” It was Nikolai who told his younger brothers, “that he has a secret, through which, when she will be revealed, all people will become happy, there will be no illnesses, no troubles, no one will be angry with anyone and everyone will love each other... The main secret... was... written by him on a green stick, and this stick was buried by the road, on edge of the Old Order ravine...” Nikolai Nikolaevich studied at the Faculty of Mathematics of Moscow University, and in 1844 he graduated from Kazan University. In 1846 he entered military service and was enlisted in an artillery brigade sent to the Caucasus. In 1858, he retired with the rank of staff captain and spent time in his small house in Moscow and Nikolskoye-Vyazemsky. In May 1860 he went for treatment to Soden, Germany, then moved to the south of France, to Gier, where he died of tuberculosis on September 20, 1860 at the age of 37 years.

Talks about the life and fate of Sergei Tolstoy
Evgenia Petrovna Gritsenko
senior researcher at the museum.

At first they wanted to give the first-born the name Nikolai in honor of Leo Tolstoy’s beloved brother. But Sofya Andreevna resisted. She believed that in the Tolstoy family this name brought misfortune. The writer's father, Nikolai Nikolaevich Tolstoy, died at the age of 43 from a heart attack, and his beloved brother Nikolai Nikolaevich Tolstoy died at the age of 37 from tuberculosis...

Then Count Tolstoy decided to name his son in honor of St. Sergius the Wonderworker.

Sergei received his primary education in his family. The boy's parents taught him a gymnasium program, preparing him for university. The father himself chose for his son good teacher, made sure that in addition to European languages, Sergei also studied the ancient ones - Greek and Latin. The count wrote about his son:

“Everyone says he looks like my brother. I'm afraid to believe. That would be too good... Seryozha is smart - a mathematical mind, sensitive to art, an excellent student...".

Lev Nikolaevich was sometimes strict towards Sergei and could even offend him without noticing, although he loved the boy very much. Sergei always had a reverent attitude towards his father. “For us, his judgment was unquestioning, his advice was mandatory. We not only loved him: he was very great place in our lives..." wrote Sergei Lvovich.

Sergei Tolstoy as a child stood out from the circle of his peers, distinguished by diligence and conscientiousness in his studies. Since childhood he showed musical abilities, received initial musical education at home, and subsequently studied with professionals. The Tolstoys often gathered in the Yasnaya Polyana living room to listen to music performed by him. At his father's request, young Tolstoy performed Chopin's nocturnes, Schumann's etudes and sonatas, Schubert's sonatas, and Godard's plays.

1870 Children of Lev Nikolaevich: Ilya, Lev, Tatyana and Sergei. From the non-memorial fund of the Yasnaya Polyana museum-estate. Countertype

from a photograph by F.I. Khodasevich.

In the spring of 1877, Sergei entered the Tula Men's Gymnasium. In 1881 he became a student at Moscow University, entering the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics, the Department of Natural Sciences. At the university he was interested in natural sciences and especially chemistry. In 1886 he wrote a dissertation on chemistry and received the degree of candidate of natural sciences.

Sofya Andreevna Tolstaya wrote about her son:

“If Seryozha knew, with what deep tenderness I often looked at him and, as always, I loved him dearly. I was proud of his university achievements and his musical successes and loved his delicate soul, hidden under some kind of outward grumbling and even rudeness.”

After graduating from university, Sergei Lvovich looked for his calling in different areas activities: in public service, zemstvo, agriculture, science, music. He was always active life position, he was worried about many socio-political events, and he himself was often an active participant in them.

Interested in the problem of keeping prisoners in Russian prisons and Western Europe, Sergei Lvovich in 1890 became a delegate to the International Prison Congress held in St. Petersburg.

In September 1890, he assumed the post of zemstvo chief of Chernsky district, where the Tolstoy family estate, Nikolskoye-Vyazemskoye, was located. And two years later, according to a separate deed between Tolstoy’s children, the estate passed into “eternal possession” to Sergei Lvovich. In Nikolskoye-Vyazemsky, Sergei Lvovich proved himself to be a good business executive; with his participation, a starch factory was opened. As a zemstvo chief, he never once applied the articles giving him the right to arrest peasants and apply corporal punishment to them.

During the famine of 1891-1892, Sergei Lvovich, together with his father, tried to do everything in his power to make life easier for the people. At that time, Sergei Tolstoy was appointed secretary of the Red Cross in the Chern province, and actively participated in organizing famine relief. In the village of Nikolskoye-Vyazemskoye, with his direct participation, a canteen for 100 people was opened.

Sergei Lvovich (photo from 1892) was the owner of the Tolstoy family estate Nikolskoye-Vyazemskoye in the Chernsky district

Living in Nikolskoye-Vyazemsky, the young count studied the life of common people. From the words of the peasants, he wrote down stories from their lives: “Forest millet”, “Flood”, “The Pyrkin Case”. IN last story a difficult scene of punishment for stealing fence stakes from a landowner is described. This story was published under the pseudonym Sergei Borodin in the May issue of the magazine “Books of the Week” in 1894 and was approved by Lev Nikolaevich.

Sergei Lvovich really wanted to be useful to his father, and in 1898-1899 he actively participated in the resettlement of the Doukhobors (adherents of the Russian Orthodox Church. - Note auto.) to Canada. “Thank you, dear Seryozha, for your willingness to serve the cause of the Doukhobors, and I know - and to me. I really appreciate this and am constantly happy when I remember you,” Tolstoy wrote to his son.

Sergei Lvovich also proved himself to be a talented composer. He wrote 27 Scottish songs, two Belgian songs and Hindu songs and dances. In 1909, Sergei Tolstoy received the House of Song Award for his harmonization of ten Scottish songs. He became the author of music for romances based on poems by Alexander Pushkin, Fyodor Tyutchev, Afanasy Fet, Alexei Tolstoy. The Yasnaya Polyana house houses music collections, including romances written by Sergei Tolstoy.

As a musician-theorist, Sergei Tolstoy devoted a number of works to musical interests writer and his relationships with composers. Among them: “Music in Tolstoy’s life”, “ Musical works, loved by L. N. Tolstoy”, “Tolstoy and Tchaikovsky, acquaintance and relationships”, “The Key Quartet” in the novel “War and Peace”

In the 20s of the twentieth century, he became a member of the Union of Composers, taught at the Moscow Conservatory, and was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor.

In 1895, Sergei Lvovich married Maria Konstantinovna Rachinskaya, the daughter of the director of the Petrovsky Agricultural Academy. A year later, they had a son, who was also named Sergei. Family relationships things didn’t work out, and soon after the birth of their son, the parents separated. On July 2, 1900, Sergei Lvovich’s wife died of pulmonary tuberculosis. Alexander Konstantinovich Rachinsky, chamberlain of the Supreme Court, was appointed guardian of his son. Subsequently, the young man graduated from high school and entered the medical faculty of Moscow University. The studies of Tolstoy's grandson coincided with the beginning of the First World War. Sergei Sergeevich left the university and went to serve as a brother of mercy.

Yasnaya Polyana, August 28, 1903. From left to right: sitting - Mikhail Lvovich, Tatyana Lvovna, Sofya Andreevna, Lev Nikolaevich, Maria Lvovna, Andrei Lvovich; standing - Ilya Lvovich, Lev Lvovich, Alexandra Lvovna, Sergei Lvovich. Photo from the non-memorial fund of the Yasnaya Polyana museum-estate, photographer F. T. Protasevich

He continued his education at the Institute of Defectology and at State Institute Words. He became a specialist in the field of English...

In 1906, Sergei Lvovich married a second time, to Maria Nikolaevna Zubova, with whom he lived until her death in 1939.

Tolstoy was not only a witness to his father's long life in Yasnaya Polyana. Before last days he was one of the few who were able to correctly understand Tolstoy’s departure from Yasnaya Polyana. Sergei Lvovich very tactfully explained the situation that was developing in the family before the writer left. Loving his father and mother, he believed that each of them had their own truth: the father strove to realize his ideals, and Sofya Andreevna - wife, mother and grandmother - put the interests of the family at the forefront, while continuing to love her beloved Lyovochka for all 48 years joint married life.

A few days before his death, addressing his older children, Lev Nikolaevich wrote: “Thank you, very dear friends - true friends - Seryozha and Tanya, for your participation in my grief and for your letters. Your letter, Seryozha, was especially joyful for me, short, clear and meaningful and, most importantly, kind.” From another letter: “I also wanted to add to you, Seryozha, advice that you think about your life, about who you are, what you are, what is the meaning human life and how every reasonable person should live it.”

After the death of his father, Sergei Lvovich dedicated his life to his memory.

Together with his sisters Tatyana and Alexandra, he created the Tolstoy Museum in Moscow, was the author of the first guide to Yasnaya Polyana, took care of its preservation in the form in which it was during the writer’s life, and was a consultant in the restoration of the museum-estate after the Nazi occupation. He actively participated in the publication of the Complete 90-volume collected works of Leo Tolstoy.

The last years of Sergei Lvovich’s life were very difficult. At the age of 80, he lost his leg, walked with difficulty on crutches, and lost his hearing and vision. At the same time, his love of life, energy, love for everything beautiful gave him strength.

Tolstoy died of a stroke on the night of December 22-23, 1947, after being ill for several days. He was buried at the Vvedenskoye Cemetery in Moscow, next to the grave of his first wife, Maria Tolstoy.