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Arina RodionovnaSerf, nanny of Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin
Date of Birth: 21.04.1758
Country:  Operator |
Content:
- Arina Rodionovna: The Nanny of Alexander Pushkin
- Marriage and Family Life
- The Nanny of the Pushkins
- Pushkin's Influence and Gratitude
- Later Years and Death
- Legacy and Remembrance
- Interesting Facts
Arina Rodionovna: The Nanny of Alexander Pushkin
Childhood and Early LifeBorn into serfdom on April 21, 1758, Arina Rodionovna came from the village of Suyda near St. Petersburg. Her parents, Rodion Yakovlev and Vasilisa Rodionovna, were peasants who raised seven children. Baptized as Irina, the diminutive "Arina" became her familiar name during her service with different masters.
Marriage and Family Life
Arina married Fyodor Matveev at the age of 23, after which she moved to the village of Kobrino near Gatchina and became a serf of Osip Hannibal. They had four children: Stepan, Yegor, Nadezhda, and Maria. Balancing her duties as a wet nurse with her household responsibilities proved challenging. Her husband became an alcoholic, and Arina faced hardship due to the absence of her family during her service to the landlords.
The Nanny of the Pushkins
Arina's career as a nanny began with Nadezhda Osipovna, Pushkin's mother. Impressed with her skills, Nadezhda's grandmother, Maria Alekseevna, entrusted her with the care of her young nephew, Alexander. Arina's exceptional nurturing extended to all three of Pushkin's children: Olga, Alexander, and Lev.
In 1807, the Hannibal family moved to Pskov Governorate, taking Arina with them. She became a constant companion to Pushkin during his exile in Mikhailovskoye from 1824 to 1826. Arina's storytelling and folklore provided solace and inspiration to the young poet.
Pushkin's Influence and Gratitude
Arina's influence on Pushkin's writing is evident in his literary works. She inspired the nurse and nanny characters in "Eugene Onegin," "Boris Godunov," and "The Moor of Peter the Great." Pushkin also dedicated poems to his beloved nanny.
Later Years and Death
Arina's final meeting with Pushkin occurred in the autumn of 1827. She passed away nine months later at the age of 70 due to age-related illnesses. She was buried in St. Petersburg's Smolenskoye Cemetery, but her grave remains lost.
Legacy and Remembrance
Arina Rodionovna's close relationship with Pushkin has ensured her lasting memory. A portrait believed to be of her was donated to the Pushkin House in 1911. Statues in her honor stand in various locations, including Boldino, Pskov, and the village of Voskresenskoye. Her image has been immortalized in film and animation.
Interesting Facts
- Historians have debated Arina's surname, with some claiming it was Yakovleva (from her father) and others asserting it was Matveyeva (from her husband). However, Pushkin scholars maintain that she had no last name.
- There is speculation that Arina may have been of Russian Izhorian or "Chukhonka" descent.
- The "House of Nanny A. S. Pushkin" museum in the Leningrad Oblast, dedicated to Arina, displays a replica of her belongings rather than the originals.
