Denis Fonvizin proved himself in various fields: he was a state adviser, translator, assistant diplomat. But to many, he is known as a playwright and author of the comedy "Undergrowth, " which still remains relevant.
Biography: early years
Denis Ivanovich Fonvizin was born on April 3, 1745 in Moscow. He came from an old Livonian knightly family. His ancestors either voluntarily left their homeland to enter the civil service in Russia, or first they were captured, and then they swore an oath and began to serve Ivan the Terrible. One way or another, the Fonvizin clan gradually became Russified, although its surname for a long time retained its original spelling: von Vizin.
Denis Ivanovich received his primary education at home from his father. In 1755, he entered the gymnasium at Moscow University. There, Fonvizin studied, among other things, German, Latin and French. Grammar school gave him a lot in the field of linguistics. At the same time, Fonvizin was filled with love for the theater, which he carried through his whole life.
In 1760, he became a student, but two years later he was accepted into the guard as a sergeant. He was not interested in military service, so he did not show himself at all. He soon gained fame as a translator. His first debut in this area was a translation from German fables by Danish writer Ludwig Golberg. The fonvizinsky translation of Voltaire also gained wide popularity.
