Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov was a Russian Romantic writer, poet, and painter, recognized as one of the most significant literary figures following the death of Alexander Pushkin. Born in Moscow in 1814 to Yuri Petrovich Lermontov and Maria Mikhailovna Arsenyeva, he was raised primarily by his grandmother after his mother s early death. His works often reflected deep psychological insight, social critique, and an exploration of existential themes. Influenced by writers such as Lord Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Pushkin, he became known for his brooding and complex characters. His poetry and prose captured the rugged landscapes of the Caucasus, a region that profoundly shaped his imagination and literary style. His most famous novel, A Hero of Our Time, introduced a new kind of protagonist, one embodying both charisma and inner turmoil. He also wrote plays such as Masquerade and A Strange Man. His life was cut short in 1841 when he was killed in a duel in Pyatigorsk at the age of 26, leaving behind a legacy that would influence generations of Russian writers.
