Nikolay Rubtsov Poet Date of Birth: 03.01.1936 Country: Russia

Biography of Nikolay Rubtsov

Russian lyrical poet Nikolay Rubtsov was born on January 3, 1936, in Emetzke, Arkhangelsk Oblast, in a simple family. His father, Mikhail Andrianovich, worked as the head of the local forestry department, while his mother, Aleksandra Mikhaylovna, was a homemaker. Rubtsov was the fifth child in the family, with three older sisters and one older brother. Shortly before the war, the Rubtsov family moved to Vologda, where his father took on a high position in the local party committee. However, just before he was sent to the front in June 1942, Rubtsov's wife passed away, leaving him with four children. To ensure their care, Rubtsov's father called upon his sister Sofya Andrianovna for help. Although she agreed to take in one of the daughters, Galina, she refused to take in the younger ones, Nikolay and Boris. As a result, Nikolay and Boris were sent to a children's home in Krasnokovsk. Life in the children's home was extremely difficult, with a limited ration of food. Rubtsov faced particular hardships, as he had recently lost his loving mother and was now separated from his siblings.
Education and Military Service

After completing the third grade with excellent marks, Rubtsov continued his education in the children's home. Despite the limited resources and poor education system, Rubtsov excelled in his studies. In June 1950, Rubtsov finished seventh grade and left the children's home. He then enrolled in a maritime school in Riga, Latvia, but was rejected due to his age. He returned to Totma, where he enrolled in a forestry technical school. However, his dream of joining the navy came true in 1952 when he found a job as a stoker on the minesweeper "Arkhangelsk." Rubtsov served on the ship for nearly a year before deciding to continue his education. He moved to Kirov and enrolled in a mining technical school. Although he attended the school for only a year, his dream of the sea came true once again in 1954 when he finished his studies and joined the Arctic Marine Expedition as an oceanologist.
Writing Career and Personal Life

Rubtsov's writing career began while he was serving in the navy. His poems started appearing in the navy's newspaper, and he gained recognition among his peers. In 1959, Rubtsov was demobilized and moved to Leningrad, where he started working at the Kirov Plant. He began earning a good salary and enjoyed the pleasures of city life. However, he felt a sense of loneliness and uncertainty about his purpose in life. In 1960, Rubtsov continued his education at the School of Young Workers while actively participating in literary circles and writing poetry. In 1962, his first book, "Waves and Rocks," was published, gaining him popularity among readers. Despite his success, Rubtsov faced numerous scandals and conflicts throughout his life. He was expelled from the Literary Institute twice, first in 1963 and again in 1964, due to his involvement in fights and disruptive behaviors. Despite these setbacks, Rubtsov continued to write and publish his poetry, gaining recognition for his unique style and themes. His personal life also faced challenges, with conflicts within his family and financial difficulties. However, Rubtsov's talent and determination allowed him to persevere and leave behind a significant contribution to Russian poetry.