- Bryusov also spelled:
- Briusov and Brjusov
- Born:
- Dec. 13 [Dec. 1, Old Style], 1873, Moscow, Russia
- Died:
- Oct. 9, 1924, Moscow, Russian S.F.S.R., U.S.S.R. (aged 50)
- Movement / Style:
- Symbolism
Valery Yakovlevich Bryusov
-
Who was Valery Yakovlevich Bryusov?
Valery Yakovlevich Bryusov (1873â1924) was a Russian poet, essayist, and editor and one of the founders of Russian Symbolism.
Bryusov was exposed to the theories and poetry of French Symbolists in the early 1890s. He published translations, anthologies, and his own poetry, outlining his ideas on Symbolism, which caused a literary scandal but brought him fame. Bryusov promoted Russian poets of the early 19th century while also contributing to contemporary Russian and European literature.
From 1899, Bryusov oversaw the Skorpion publishing house and became editor of the literary magazine Vesy in 1904. His literary reputation allowed him to transcend the Symbolist movement, and he later joined the Bolsheviks after the Russian Revolution of 1917.
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What kind of writing did Bryusov do?
Valery Yakovlevich Bryusov was a Russian author known for his poetry, essays, and editing work. He was a leading figure in Russian Symbolism and also wrote fiction, including the novel Ognenny angel. Additionally, Bryusov translated works from other languages. He oversaw the Skorpion publishing house and edited the literary magazine Vesy. Bryusov's articles on literature presented a Symbolist viewpoint of Russian poetry within an international context.
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What was Bryusovâs role in Russian Symbolism?
Valery Yakovlevich Bryusov, a poet, essayist, and editor, stands as one of the founders and leading voices of Russian Symbolism. In the 1890s, influenced by French Symbolist poetry, Bryusov began publishing his own poetry and translations, including works by French Symbolist Paul Verlaine.
Bryusov's books and essays articulated his ideas on Symbolism, stirring literary discussion and bringing him recognition. As editor of the literary magazine Vesy, he presented a Symbolist viewpoint on Russian poetry within an international context. Bryusov's literary reputation allowed him to move beyond Symbolism, contributing to popular magazines and working as a war correspondent.
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What are some famous works by Bryusov?
Valery Yakovlevich Bryusov, a founder of Russian Symbolism, gained fame with Chefs dâoeuvre ("Leading Works") and his translations of Paul Verlaine's poetry. His collections Me eum esse ("This Is I"), Tertia vigilia ("Third Vigil"), and Urbi et orbi ("To the City and the World") further cemented his reputation. Bryusov also oversaw the Skorpion publishing house and edited the literary magazine Vesy. Besides poetry, Bryusov wrote the novel Ognenny angel (The Fiery Angel) and was a translator.
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How did Bryusov influence Russian literature?
Valery Yakovlevich Bryusov, a founder and leading voice in Russian Symbolism, significantly shaped Russian literature. Bryusov, a poet, essayist, and editor, introduced French Symbolist poetry and theory to Russia, influencing the modernist movement.
Bryusov's literary magazine Vesy presented a Symbolist view of Russian poetry, setting it within an international context. His own poetry collections, such as Me eum esse, Tertia vigilia, and Urbi et orbi, combined high culture with contemporary elements, gaining popularity and opening up previously obscure themes. Bryusov's reputation allowed him to move beyond Symbolism, publishing in popular magazines and serving as a war correspondent.
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In what ways did the historical events of his time affect Bryusov's writing and ideas?
Valery Bryusov, a leading figure in Russian Symbolism, was deeply affected by the historical events of his time. Initially skeptical of the Russian Revolution of 1917, he later embraced the Bolsheviks, joining the Communist Party in 1920 and contributing to Soviet institutions.
Bryusov's early work was influenced by French Symbolist poetry and the philosophy of Vladimir Solovyov. His role as a war correspondent during World War I also shaped his perspective. Bryusov wrote a great deal of experimental poetry during this period.
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Valery Yakovlevich Bryusov (born Dec. 13 [Dec. 1, Old Style], 1873, Moscow, Russiaâdied Oct. 9, 1924, Moscow, Russian S.F.S.R., U.S.S.R.) was a poet, essayist, and editor, one of the founders and leading members of Russian Symbolism.
Bryusovâs paternal grandfather was a serf who became a merchant, and his maternal grandfather was an amateur poet. Toward the end of 1892, he encountered the theories and poetry of the French Symbolists. He began his studies at Moscow University in 1893 and graduated six years later. In 1894â95 he published a translation of Romances sans paroles (1874; âSongs Without Wordsâ) by the French poet Paul Verlaine, three anthologies of Russian Symbolist poets, and a book of his own poetry bearing the French title Chefs dâoeuvre (âLeading Worksâ). In the introductions to these books he laid out his ideas on Symbolism. The books caused a literary scandal and brought Bryusov fame.
Though interested in the contemporary literature of Russia and Europe, Bryusov at the same time promoted Russian poets of the early 19th century, such as Aleksandr Pushkin, Fyodor Tyutchev, and Yevgeny Baratynsky. Bryusovâs collections of poetry at the turn of the century, all bearing Latin titlesâMe eum esse (1897; âThis Is Iâ), Tertia vigilia (1900; âThird Vigilâ), and Urbi et orbi (1903; âTo the City and the Worldâ)âtestify to his increasing maturity as a poet. The high culture of this verse, combined with an opening up of the formerly obscure elements in his poetry and a synthesis of the eternal with the contemporary, made his poetry extremely popular.
From 1899 Bryusov oversaw the Skorpion publishing house, and in 1904 he was named editor of the literary magazine Vesy (âLibra,â or âScalesâ). During this time he also contributed to the literary almanac Severnye tsvety (âNorthern Flowersâ). His regularly published articles on literature present a panorama of Russian poetry from a Symbolist point of view while also positioning Russian poetry within an international literary context. Bryusov also became known as a writer of fiction with his novel Ognenny angel (1908; The Fiery Angel) and as a translator from many languages.
Bryusovâs resulting literary reputation allowed him to transcend the confines of the Symbolist movement. From 1909 on, he published a great deal in one of the most popular Russian magazines, Russkaya Mysl (âRussian Thoughtâ). From 1910 to 1912 he was editor in chief of its literary section, and he subsequently became its war correspondent during World War I. His poetry during those years, however, is of less interest and importance.
Bryusov initially viewed the Russian Revolution of 1917 with some skepticism, but he soon joined the Bolsheviks, becoming a member of the Communist Party in 1920 and working in various Soviet institutions. During this period Bryusov wrote a great deal of experimental poetry, the style of which was not taken up by later generations of poets.