“You Are New, I Am Old”: Handwritten Drafts of A.S. Suvorin’s Letters to D.S. Merezhkovsky (1901–1911)

Abstract

This work is the first to introduce handwritten drafts of the letters of A.S. Suvorin (1834–1912), owner and publisher of the “Novoye vremya” newspaper, to D.S. Merezhkovsky. The letters, which remained in the newspaper’s archive, cover the period from 1901 to 1911 and can explain the reasons for Suvorin’s interest in the young writer. Merezhkovsky was one of the objects of his passion for talented people, which was recalled by contemporaries and which explains his relationship, in particular, with Anton Chekhov. Suvorin’s letters to Merezhkovsky express his views as a critic, publisher, and theater owner, exhibiting an awareness of circumstances, business sense, and broad knowledge. Appearing as a representative of the “old” literature, he showed a keen perception of the aspirations of the “new” one. Suvorin attempted to hold Merezhkovsky back from an ill-timed publication of his letter to “Novoye vremya” about L. Tolstoy (1901). He also made detailed comments about the drama “Paul I” and reacted sharply to Merezhkovsky’s quoting of his words in the article “Nationalism and Religion” (1911). Attempts to patronize Merezhkovsky and support his endeavors concluded in a conflict with him towards the end of Suvorin’s life. The publication of handwritten drafts of Suvorin’s letters fills certain gaps in the notions about his contacts with the Merezhkovskys. Suvorin’s correspondence also illuminates his personal features and helps to restore the details of the literary life in the first decade of the 20th century.

Keywords

• correspondence
• a.s. suvorin
• d.s. merezhkovsky
• z.n. gippius
• “paul i
• ” “nationalism and religion
• ” literary life