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Nikolay ZerovUkrainian literary critic, poet - master of sonnets
Date of Birth: 26.04.1890
Country:  Ukraine |
Content:
Biography of Nikolay Zerov
Nikolay Zerov was a Ukrainian literary critic, poet, master of sonnets, leader of the "neoclassicists" group, and translator of classical poetry. He was born in a large family of a teacher in a local two-year school. Zerov studied at Zinkivska school, where he was classmates with the famous humorist Ostap Vishnya, and later attended Ahhtyrka and the First Kyiv Gymnasiums. From 1908 to 1914, he studied at the Historical-Philological Faculty of Saint Vladimir's University in Kyiv.
Early Career
In 1912, Zerov published his first articles and reviews in the journal "Svitlo" and the newspaper "Rada." From 1914, he worked as a history teacher in Zlatopolska boys' school and, from October 1916, also in the girls' gymnasium. In 1917, he became a teacher at the Second Kyiv Gymnasium of the Cyril and Methodius Brotherhood. In 1918-1920, Zerov taught Ukrainian studies at the Architecture Institute and worked as an editor for the bibliographic journal "Knihar." In the fall of 1923, he became a professor at the Kyiv Institute of Popular Education and joined an elite circle of Ukrainian cultural figures.
Literary Career
In 1920, Zerov married Sofia Loboda and published his prepared anthologies of Roman poetry and new Ukrainian poetry. He worked as a teacher in Baryshevka for three years, where he wrote the poems for his collection "Kalyna" (1924). In 1923, he became a professor of Ukrainian literature at the Kyiv Institute of Popular Education. Zerov was a leading figure in the "neoclassicists" group, and in 1924, he published his first collection of poems, "Kamena." He also became known for his literary criticism and took part in various literary discussions and debates.
Political Repression
In the late 1920s, Zerov faced political repression due to his association with the "neoclassicists" group. He was accused of having anti-proletarian sentiments. In 1930, he was forced to testify as a witness on the trial of the "Union for the Liberation of Ukraine" and faced increasing pressure to conform to the Soviet ideology. In 1935, he was arrested in Moscow and sent to Kyiv for trial, where he was sentenced to 10 years in labor camps.
Final Years
Zerov was sent to Solovki prison camp in 1936 and was initially allowed to continue his literary activities. However, in 1937, he was re-tried and sentenced to death by a special troika of the NKVD. He was executed on November 3, 1937, along with other members of the "neoclassicists" group. In 1958, his conviction was posthumously overturned by the Supreme Court of the USSR.
Zerov's brother, Mikhail, lived in Vinnitsa during the war and collaborated with the occupation press. He was involved in the propaganda campaign regarding the Vinnitsa massacre.
