AKSAKOV, Sergey Timofeevich.

first edition of a seminal work on traditional Russian life.

Family Chronicles is a semi-autographical work by Aksakov (1791-1859) depicting life on his family estate in the province of Orenburg. Sometimes known as A Russian Gentleman, Aksakov was inspired by his close friend Nikolai Gogol to write about the realities of everyday life in the countryside. His love of fishing and hunting shone through and Turgenev wrote in his praise, 'your birds and fishes are more alive than my men and women'.

Aksakov held a somewhat unique position in 19th century Russia in that his work was extremely popular across the political spectrum. An ardent love for his homeland and an intimate understanding of family relations has ensured his writing is still considered a classic in the Russian literary canon. His work undoubtedly inspired the philosophical ideals of his two sons who were famously both fervent Slavophiles.