Selvinskaya Ilya L.

Selvinsky Ilya (Carl), L. (1899 - 1968), poet. Born on October 12 (24 NS) in Simferopol in the family furrier, disabled Turkish War 1874. Early years were in the Crimea, Evpatoria where he graduated from high school, then studied at the Faculty of Medicine, University of the Tauride (not finished). In my school and college years tried many trades: There was a cabin boy on the schooner, longshoreman, an artist's model, a reporter for the law courts, an actor itinerant theater, agricultural workers and others. In 1918, becoming a soldier of the Red Guard, defended Perekop. Selvinsky continued his education in Moscow, graduated from the Faculty of the University, then the Faculty of Social Sciences (1923).

From 1922 to 1926, then in 1932 was the instructor Tsentrosojuz export of furs. Along with all this activity Selvinsky looking for its place in poetry, creating an experimental poetry. In the 1920's became one of the leaders of constructivism (the poem "Ulyalaevschina", 1924, and "Notes of a Poet, 1927). Writes a novel in verse "Fur Center" (1928) and tries himself in drama: the tragedy of "Commander 2, 1928 (V. Meyerhold staged in 1929), the play" Pao-Pao, "1931;" Umka - White Bear ", 1933.

In 1933 - 34 Selvinsky as a special correspondent for Pravda, participated in the Arctic expedition of Prof.. Schmidt on the icebreaker Chelyuskin, later wrote a poem called "Chelyuskiniana".

In the 1930 traveling through Europe and Asia. During this period, developing the genre of historical tragedy in verse: "John Knight" (1937), "Babak" (1941).

During World War Selvinsky was on the Crimean, Caucasian and Baltic fronts. It was in these years began to work on a dramatic trilogy "Russia", which he graduated in 1957.

The result of years of reflection and stihovedcheskih research was the book "Studio verse" (1962).

The final product Selvinsky was an autobiographical novel, "Oh, my youth!", Published in the journal "October" in 1966. Poet died March 22, 1968 in Moscow.