Author Fun Facts:Anton Chekhov

Happy Thursday Everyone!

Today I wanted to introduce you to an author that I didn’t know anything about until I was in College English. Anton Chekhov is known for his short stories, and plays. I remember we had to take two of his stories and compare them to each other. When we did that I started getting interested in who he was, and more of his stories. I actually have a complete collection on my bookshelf of his short stories.

Let’s get this fun fact list started!

Born January 29, 1860
He is Russian
He actually became a physician, and would offer his patients free services, if they couldn’t afford him
When he realized he had Tuberculosis, he refused to tell his family because he didn’t want to worry them
At the time of his death Anton was second only to Leo Tolstoy in literary celebrity
His short story, The Lady with the Dog, has been called the greatest short story every written
He died on July 15, 1904, he was only 44
He is seen as one of the people who contributed to modernism theatre
He had five siblings
When his father bankrupted the family, Chekhov sold some of his families possessions and comics he created to support his mother and siblings
He built a clinic, fire station, and three schools for peasants that were affected by cholera and famine
All through his literary career, he continued to be a successful doctor

I hope you learned something you didn’t know about this amazing author, and that it interested you enough that you read one of his plays or short stories. My favorite is actually “The Lady with the Dog”.

Go discover a new author my friends!