Declining a biography. 1881

Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev (1818-1883)
Declining a biography. 1881
Autograph letter signed ('Ivan Tourguéneff') to an unidentified recipient ('Monsieur'), 50 rue de Douai, Paris, 23 March 1881.

One page, 211 x 135mm, on a bifolium with Turgenev's printed address and monogram.

Declining a biography: 'my "portrait" would be of no interest to anyone'. Turgenev writes to a would-be biographer: 'I have to present you my excuses; for I am going to withdraw my promise. Having considered the matter, I feel that it is only a writer's literary works which should be submitted to the appreciation of critics; the public has nothing to do with his private life. – Indeed, as I told you, my biography offers nothing striking – and my "portrait" – would be of no interest to anyone'. In a postscript, Turgenev hopes that the recipient will keep as a souvenir the copy of Fathers and Sons which he has had sent to him.

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