Mikhail Lomonosov

Mikhail Vasilyevich Lomonosov (??????? ??????????? ??????????) (November 19 (November 8, Old Style), 1711 – April 15 (April 4, Old Style), 1765) was a Russian writer and polymath who made important contributions to literature, education, and science.

Foreign education

He accordingly went to the University of Marburg in Hesse, Germany, then one of the most important European universities - at a time when universities in general were in some decay - because of the presence of the most eminent German Enlightenment philosopher of his time, Christian Wolff. Lomonosov studied with Wolff and became one of his personal students; both philosophically and as a science administrator (also a forte of Wolff), this connection would be most influential for the rest of his life.

Related Topics:
The University - Marburg - Hesse - Germany - Enlightenment - Christian Wolff

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During his Marburg time, he also began to write poetry, imitating German authors, among whom he is said to have especially admired Gunther. His Ode on the Taking of Khotin from the Turks was composed in 1739, and attracted a great deal of attention at St. Petersburg. During his residence in Germany, Lomonosov married a native of that country, and found it difficult to maintain his increasing family on the scanty allowance granted to him by the St. Petersburg Academy which, moreover, was irregularly sent. His circumstances became embarrassed, and he resolved to leave the country and to return home to St. Petersburg. In 1743, his wife moved there, as well.

Related Topics:
Poetry - Gunther - Khotin - 1739 - St. Petersburg Academy

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