A History Of Russian Literature May 2026

This is the era most people recognize, where Russian literature became a global cultural export.

Under Peter the Great, Russia began rapid Westernization, which heavily influenced literary styles. A History of Russian Literature

Neoclassicism and Sentimentalism became dominant as writers tried to create a "modern" Russian prose style. This is the era most people recognize, where

Early Russian literature was deeply spiritual and focused on the growth of the Russian state. Russia began rapid Westernization

The Tale of Igor's Campaign —an anonymous epic poem about a failed raid against nomadic tribes.

Mikhail Lomonosov (the polymath who refined the language) and Nikolai Karamzin (who pioneered emotional prose). 3. The Golden Age (19th Century)