11 Facts About Ivan Surikov

Ivan Zakharovich Surikov was a Russian self-taught peasant poet, best known for his folklore-influenced ballads, some of which were put to music by well-known composers, while some became real folk songs.

Ivan Surikov was born in Novosyolovo village near Uglich, son of Zakhar Adrianovich Surikov, a rent-paying peasant who worked for Count Sheremetyev.

Ivan Surikov's father deemed book-reading to be harmful to good trader's mentality, but Ivan persisted in studying.

In 1860 Ivan Surikov sent a notebook with his own verses to Aleksey Pleshcheyev and was encouraged by the poet's favorable response.

Also in 1860 Ivan Surikov married Maria Ermakova, a girl from a poor family, who proved to be his devoted friend and a great help in his life.

In 1864 Ivan Surikov's mother died, his father remarried and life in the latter's house became unbearable.

Ivan Surikov rented a flat with his wife, and from then on was making a living by taking part-time jobs, like that of a type-setter.

Ivan Surikov died in Moscow in 1880, at the peak of his creativity.

Ivan Surikov's legacy is usually seen as part of the tradition set by the two major Russian folklorist poets, Aleksey Koltsov and Ivan Nikitin.

Ivan Surikov's ballads were song-like in structure, and people who knew him remembered how he "tried out" each new piece by singing it aloud.

Ivan Surikov had his "peasant cycle" too, but again, its poems were generic, protagonists representing "the voice of the common people," rather than putting forward personal views.