Mikhail Bulgakov

Mikhail Afanasyevich Bulgakov (1891–1940) was a Russian writer and playwright, one of the foremost figures in 20th-century Russian literature. Born in Kiev, which at the time was part of the Russian Empire, Bulgakov studied medicine at the Kiev University and briefly practiced as a doctor, a profession he left to pursue a career in writing. Bulgakov's literary ascent began in the early 1920s when he moved to Moscow. After initial success as a writer of short stories and plays, his work increasingly came under scrutiny by Soviet authorities. Much of his writing was characterised by an satirical edge, which did not align with the ideological demands of Soviet officials. This tension led to much of his work being banned or censored, and for long periods, Bulgakov was unable to publish. Despite the challenges he faced, Bulgakov remained prolific. His masterwork, "The Master and Margarita," which he began writing in 1928 and continued to revise until his death, reflects his experience of Soviet reality through a lens of fantastical allegory. It was not published in its complete form until 1967, well after his death, but has since been acclaimed as one of the greatest novels of the 20th century. Bulgakov's other notable works include "The White Guard," a novel that portrays the tumultuous period of the Russian Civil War, and "Heart of a Dog," a satirical novella that critiques the attempt to reshape human nature by Soviet ideology. His plays, such as "Days of the Turbins" based on "The White Guard" and "The Running Man," were popular during his lifetime, even as they periodically stirred controversy. Bulgakov's legacy endures in the rich characterizations, imaginative depth, and biting social commentary that pervade his works. Though his career was fraught with suppressions, his literary contributions have earned him a place among the greats of Russian literature.