Leo Tolstoy (born September 9, 1828, in Yasnaya Polyana, Russia, and died November 20, 1910) is considered one of the most significant writers in world literature. He is renowned for his works, particularly War and Peace and Anna Karenina, which are seen as pillars of realist fiction. Tolstoy's works are influential in both the literary world and beyond, with themes of morality, spirituality, and social justice.
In his later years, Tolstoy underwent a spiritual crisis and distanced himself from the Russian Orthodox Church, advocating for a life of simplicity, nonviolence, and a rejection of materialism, which influenced both his writing and his lifestyle. His work has inspired a broad range of thinkers and writers, including Fyodor Dostoevsky and Alexander Pushkin.
Tolstoy married Sophia Tolstaya in 1862, and they had several children. Despite his personal and family struggles, Tolstoy's legacy endures as a deeply influential figure in literature, philosophy, and social thought.