Ivan Ivanovich Kozlov: biography and literary activity

Ivan Ivanovich Kozlov is a Russian poet and translator. His works are not known to all readers, although the subjects of the poems are interesting and mysterious, like his biography.

The origin of the poet

Ivan Ivanovich Kozlov was born on April 11, 1779 in Moscow. His family was not only noble, but also ancient. Ivan Ivanovich on the paternal line was the grandson of the senator. By the way, the father of the poet, Ivan Ivanovich, served at court as a state councilor. Mother, Anna Apollonovna, in her nephew bore the name Khomutova and was a native aunt of the famous Cossack ataman.

Despite the fact that the education of Ivan Kozlov was taught by his mother, and he taught his science at home, the poet was a versatile personality, and all his contemporaries noted his excellent education.

Military service

The future poet Ivan Ivanovich Kozlov, when he was five years old, was enlisted in the military service. In October 1784 he had the rank of sergeant of the famous Izmailovsky regiment, which was credited only to wealthy nobles. And already in February 1975, when the young poet was sixteen, he was transferred to a new rank - ensign.

Then there was a service in the Life Guards, which lasted three years. After this, the poet Ivan Ivanovich Kozlov deservedly retired.

Civil Service

In 1798 the poet Kozlov Ivan Ivanovich entered the civil service, having the post of provincial secretary. But a few months later, having proved himself worthy, he was transferred to collegiate assessors and even for special successes enlisted in the office of Peter Lopukhin. A year later, the service in the heraldry followed.

Eight years later, a new appointment came: Ivan Kozlov transferred to the office of the commander-in-chief Tutolmin, who was in the capital. And soon afterwards, in a new place, showing zeal and unusual education, the poet was able to get the rank of an outward counselor.

The war of 1812 brought many changes to Ivan Ivanovich's life. So, for several months he works in a committee whose purpose is to collect and create a powerful Moscow military force, and also prepare it for military operations with Napoleon.

But three days before Napoleon was supposed to enter the capital, Ivan Kozlov was dismissed with other fellow officers. Realizing that you need to save the family, he leaves Moscow and leaves for his mother's relatives in Rybinsk. But even after the war with the French Ivan Kozlov does not return to Moscow.

Now the place of residence for himself and his family he chooses St. Petersburg. Soon Ivan Ivanovich gets an appointment for service. At the end of July 1813, the talented poet Ivan Kozlov begins to serve in the State Department of Property, where he is appointed to the post of assistant to the mayor. And already in October 1814 he received a new rank - a collegiate official. But the unexpected illness deprived him of the opportunity to continue building his state career.

Literary Activity

Ivan Ivanovich Kozlov, whose poems are expressive and beautiful, in 1818 suddenly falls ill. Paralysis deprives him of the opportunity to move, and the poet stops public service. But he does not want to surrender and decides to devote himself to literary work. But by the end of 1819, he was gradually beginning to get blind and completely lost his sight in 1821.

Ivan Ivanovich begins to work hard on translations. He knew many languages, including French, German, Italian, English and others. He translates the best literary works into these languages. Begins with the works of Vasily Zhukovsky, and the first work that appeared in print was Zhukovsky's poem "Svetlana". And soon his own poems appeared: "To Svetlana", "Chernets", "Poet Zhukovsky."

The poet was personally acquainted with Vasily Zhukovsky, Peter Vyazemsky, Alexander Pushkin, Ivan Turgenev and other outstanding educated people of the time.

Poems by Ivan Kozlov are popular, and the glory finally comes to the sick poet. Contemporaries recalled that Ivan Ivanovich, despite the fact that he was in a wheelchair, always kept courageously and openly. All his surroundings noted: the poet was dressed, while he was blind and practically motionless, always elegant and fashionable.

But the contemporaries of the conversation with him especially noted that he always said that he wanted to listen without interrupting, holding his breath and admiring every word. In addition, he read the verses of the poets of Europe beautifully and expressively. And no one could guess, looking at this poet-inspired man, that at night he was tormented by cruel and constant pains.

Personal life

Ivan Ivanovich Kozlov, whose biography is interesting and eventful, married in 1809. His wife was Sofya Andreevna Davydova, who was the daughter of the brigadier. In this marriage, a talented poet has two children: a son and a daughter. Nothing is known about the fate of Ivan and Alexandra.

The famous poet of the nineteenth century Ivan Ivanovich Kozlov died on January 30, 1840.