Britannica Sources used in this answer

Which writers and philosophers influenced Leo Tolstoy as a young man?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Portrait of Leo Tolstoy with a long white beard, wearing a dark shirt and looking slightly to the side. — Leo Tolstoy Russian writer Leo Tolstoy is widely regarded as one of the world's greatest novelists. His masterpieces are *War and Peace* (1865–69) and *Anna Karenina* (1875–77).

As a young man, Leo Tolstoy was influenced by several prominent literary and philosophical figures. During his time at the University of Kazan, he developed a strong interest in literature and ethics, which drew him to the works of English novelists Laurence Sterne and Charles Dickens.1

He was particularly influenced by the French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau; Tolstoy’s admiration was so profound that he wore a medallion featuring Rousseau’s portrait in place of a religious cross. Additionally, while studying law at the university, Tolstoy engaged with the writings of the French political philosopher Montesquieu, specifically analyzing his work The Spirit of Laws.1

Beyond these intellectual influences, Tolstoy’s cousin, Tatyana Aleksandrovna Yergolskaya—whom he affectionately called "Aunt Toinette"—was the most significant influence on his childhood and remained a deeply important figure to him as a young man.1