Alexander Kozachinsky Russian writer, journalist Date of Birth: 04.09.1903

1. Alexander Kozačinskij: From Football Star to Notorious Outlaw
2. Early Life and Education
3. Football and Law Enforcement
4. A Life of Crime
5. Capture and Trial
6. Literary Career
7. Death and Legacy

Alexander Kozačinskij: From Football Star to Notorious Outlaw

Alexander Kozačinskij (1903-1943) was a Russian writer, journalist, and former criminal gang leader. His life took a series of unexpected turns, from a promising athletic career to a thrilling world of crime and finally to a literary legacy.

Early Life and Education

Kozačinskij was born in Moscow in 1903 to a noble father and a middle-class mother. In 1909, his family moved to Odessa following the death of his father from tuberculosis. Despite financial struggles, Kozačinskij excelled in school, forging a close friendship with fellow student Yevgeny Kataev. However, due to the hardships brought on by the October Revolution, he dropped out of gymnasium in 1917.

Football and Law Enforcement

As a young man, Kozačinskij was a skilled footballer, playing as a goalkeeper for the Odessa team "Chernoye More." However, his life took a dramatic turn when he joined the Odessa criminal investigation department in 1920. As an inspector, he gained notoriety for solving the case of the notorious robber "Bengalsky."

A Life of Crime

Kozačinskij's career as an inspector ended in a prison sentence. However, he escaped and formed a gang of former soldiers and German colonists. Basing themselves in the village of Lyustdorf, the gang committed daring robberies, targeting government offices and wealthy individuals. Kozačinskij's charisma earned him a following among the gang and the local population, especially women.

Capture and Trial

In 1922, Kozačinskij and his gang were apprehended in a raid at the Old Horse Market in Odessa. During the pursuit, he recognized one of the inspectors as his former schoolmate, Yevgeny Kataev, and surrendered to him. Despite the support of female witnesses at his trial, Kozačinskij was sentenced to execution. However, his sentence was later commuted.

Literary Career

After being released under an amnesty in 1925, Kozačinskij moved to Moscow where he became a journalist for the newspaper "Gudok" alongside Yevgeny Kataev. In 1938, at Kataev's urging, he wrote his most famous work, the detective novel "The Green Van." Kozačinskij also wrote several other stories, including "Fonya," which featured a thief who stole a fire extinguisher from an art gallery.

Death and Legacy

In 1941, due to health reasons, Kozačinskij was exempt from military service during World War II. He was evacuated to Novosibirsk, where he died from an illness in 1943. Alexander Kozačinskij's life remains a fascinating tale that has inspired countless works of fiction and nonfiction, showcasing the complexities of human nature and the transformative power of both crime and creativity.