Dmitry Merezhkovsky

Dmitry Merezhkovsky (1865-1941) was a Russian novelist, poet, essayist, and religious philosopher whose work played a central role in the cultural and intellectual life of late imperial Russia. A founding figure of Russian Symbolism, he was known for blending mysticism, political commentary, and historical insight in both his fiction and nonfiction. His novels, including The Death of the Gods and The Romance of Leonardo da Vinci, form part of a celebrated trilogy on god-seeking and the conflict between paganism and Christianity. In his essays and polemics, Merezhkovsky explored the moral crisis of modernity, advocating for a spiritual revival grounded in a synthesis of Christian faith and cultural renewal. Exiled after the Bolshevik Revolution, he continued to write prolifically in France, where he became a vocal critic of totalitarianism. His legacy remains complex and provocative, spanning literature, theology, and political thought.