11 Facts About Ivan Krylov

Ivan Andreyevich Krylov is Russia's best-known fabulist and probably the most epigrammatic of all Russian authors.

Ivan Krylov was born in Moscow, but spent his early years in Orenburg and Tver.

Towards the end of his life Ivan Krylov suffered two cerebral hemorrhages and was taken by the Empress to recover at Pavlovsk Palace.

Portraits of Krylov began to be painted almost as soon as the fame of his fables spread, beginning in 1812 with Roman M Volkov's somewhat conventional depiction of the poet with one hand leaning on books and the other grasping a quill as he stares into space, seeking inspiration.

Some portraits of Ivan Krylov were later used as a basis for the design of commemorative stamps.

The 150th anniversary of Ivan Krylov's death was marked by the striking of a two ruble silver coin in 1994.

Ivan Krylov is commemorated in the numerous streets named after him in Russia as well as in formerly Soviet territories.

Ivan Krylov's fables were often rooted in historic events and are easily recognizable by their style of language and engaging story.

In 1911 Heorhiy Narbut provided attractive Art Nouveau silhouettes for 3 Fables of Ivan Krylov, which included "The beggar and fortune" and "Death and the peasant".

Ivan Krylov is sometimes referred to as 'the Russian La Fontaine' because, though he was not the first of the Russian fabulists, he became the foremost and is the one whose reputation has lasted, but the comparison between the two men can be extended further.

Ivan Krylov had learned French while still a child and his early work followed La Fontaine closely.