Gavrila Derzhavin

Gavrila Romanovich Derzhavin
Gavrila Derzhavin by Vladimir Borovikovsky
Born	Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin (1743-07-14)14 July 1743 Laishevsky Uyezd, Kazan Governorate, Russian Empire
Died	20 July 1816(1816-07-20) (aged 73) Zvanka manor, Novgorod Governorate, Russian Empire
Occupation	Poet, statesman
Period	Neoclassicism
Signature

Gavriil (Gavrila) Romanovich Derzhavin (Russian: Гаврии́л (Гаври́ла) Рома́нович Держа́вин, IPA: [ɡɐˈvrilə rɐˈmanəvʲɪtɕ dʲɪrˈʐavʲɪn] ^ⓘ; 14 July 1743 – 20 July 1816) was one of the most highly esteemed Russian poets before Alexander Pushkin, as well as a statesman. Although his works are traditionally considered literary classicism, his best verse is rich with antitheses and conflicting sounds in a way reminiscent of John Donne and other metaphysical poets.