Leo Tolstoy was a Russian writer and philosopher, born on September 9, 1828, in Yasnaya Polyana, Russia. He is considered one of the greatest novelists of all time, and his works, such as "War and Peace" and "Anna Karenina," are regarded as masterpieces of literature. Tolstoy's writing explored the complexities of human relationships, the nature of society, and the search for meaning in life. He was also deeply interested in moral and ethical questions, and his philosophical works, such as "The Kingdom of God is Within You," had a profound influence on figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. Tolstoy was a controversial figure in his time, and his ideas often put him at odds with the Russian Orthodox Church and the Tsarist government. He advocated for non-violent resistance and pacifism, and his political views led to his excommunication from the Church. Tolstoy died on November 20, 1910, at the age of 82, at Antipolo train station in Russia, while on a pilgrimage. His legacy continues to influence literature and philosophy to this day.

1. LEO
TOLSTOY
Submitted to- Ar. Reeta maurya Submitted by- A. K. maurya

2. “ All art an
expression of
emotions”
“Everyone thinks of
changing the world, bot
no one thinks of
changing himself”

3. Introduction
• Leo tolstoy (1828-1910) was a russian writer, philosopher, and social
reformer, widely considered one of the greatest novelists in world
literature.
• He was born into an aristocratic family in yasnaya polyana, a rural
estate in central russia, and received a traditional education at home
and at university.
• Tolstoy's literary career began with the publication of his
autobiographical trilogy childhood, boyhood, and youth in the 1850s.
• His most famous works are the novels war and peace (1869) and
anna karenina (1877), both of which are considered masterpieces of
realism and psychological insight.
• Tolstoy's writing explores themes of love, family, class, war, morality,
and spirituality, and often challenges conventional social and religious
norms.

4. Introduction
• He was deeply influenced by his experiences as a soldier in the
Crimean War, his travels in Europe and the Middle East, and his study
of the Bible and other religious texts.
• In addition to his literary work, Tolstoy was also a prominent social and
political activist, advocating for nonviolence, anarchism, and the
abolition of private property.
• He had a tumultuous personal life, with a series of dramatic conflicts
with his wife and family, and a spiritual crisis in midlife that led him to
reject many of his earlier beliefs and embrace a simple, ascetic
lifestyle.
• Tolstoy's legacy as a writer and thinker continues to inspire and
challenge readers around the world, and his ideas have influenced
many movements for social justice and political change.

5. Books
War and
Peace
The Death of
Ivan Ilyich
Childhood,
Boyhood, and
Youth
What is Art?
Anna
Karenina

6. Writing career
• He began writing at an early age and published his first work, a poem
called "Childhood," when he was just 23 years old.
• In the 1850s, Tolstoy served in the Russian army and drew on his
experiences in his writing. His first major work, "Sevastopol Sketches,"
was based on his experiences in the Crimean War.
• Tolstoy's breakthrough novel, "War and Peace," was published in
1869. The epic novel explores the lives of several families during the
Napoleonic Wars and is considered one of the greatest works of world
literature.
• Later in life, Tolstoy became increasingly interested in spirituality and
rejected organized religion in favor of a personal, direct relationship
with God. This is reflected in his later works, such as "The Kingdom of
God Is Within You."

7. Glorify
Gustave Flaubert – (on reading ‘war and peace’ translation)
“what an artist and what a psychologist”
Mathew Arnold – “A novel by Tolstoy is not a work of art but a piece of
life”

8. Achievement
1903
1902
1904 1905
1906
1902
1901
1909
Nomination for Nobel
Peace prize
Nomination for Nobel
literature prize

9. Mahatma Gandhi
• Mahatma Gandhi was deeply influenced by Leo Tolstoy's writings,
particularly his ideas on nonviolent resistance. In fact, it was reading
"The Kingdom of God Is Within You" that had a profound impact on
Gandhi's own philosophy of nonviolence.
• Gandhi also influenced by the masterpiece “war and peace”.