About
Antioche Cantemir (1708-1744), son of Moldavian prince Dimitrie Cantemir, was a Russian diplomat and poet. Raised in Russia, he supported Empress Anna in 1730. Posted to London and Paris, he associated with Montesquieu and Voltaire. Author of nine satires foundational to modern Russian literature, he translated Fontenelle and wrote a philosophical treatise. He is regarded as the father of Russian classicism.
* 1708-09-21 — † 1744-04-11
Major works
- To My Mind: On Those Who Blame Education (1729)satire
- Petrida (1730)epic poem
- Entretiens sur la pluralité des mondes (1740)translation
- Letters on Nature and Man (1742)philosophical treatise
Key milestones
- 1731Appointed Russian envoy to London.
- 1738Appointed minister plenipotentiary to Paris.
- 2003A bronze bust was unveiled at Saint Petersburg State University.
Themes
social satireeducationclassicismEnlightenmentpatriotism
Sources: britannica.com · moldpres.md · ebsco.com