Dictionary.net

A Russian poet (1760-1837); born in the government of Simbirsk. After a high official career, he retired to private life in 1802, and devoted himself till his death to literature. His first poem, a song, "The Dove", led Karamsin to advise him to keep on working the lyric vein; he took the French poets for his models, and thus attained a grace of form before unknown in Russian poetry. He made an admirable translation of Lafontaine into Russian verse. His greatest original work is an epicodramatic poem: "Jermak, Conqueror of Siberia". Many of his songs are popular favorites. He wrote a highly interesting autobiography: "A Glance at my Life".