Mikhail Bulgakov

Mikhail Bulgakov was a Russian writer and playwright best known for his posthumously published novel "The Master and Margarita," widely regarded as a 20th-century masterpiece. His body of work also includes the novel "The White Guard" and notable plays such as "Ivan Vasilievich," "Flight" (also titled "The Run"), and "The Days of the Turbins" (sometimes referred to as "The Turbin Brothers"). Bulgakov's writings often explored the turmoil of the Russian Civil War and the struggles of Tsarist-era intellectuals and military officers amid revolutionary upheaval.

Originally trained as a medical doctor, Bulgakov abandoned his practice to pursue writing after traveling extensively across Russia and the Caucasus. Settling in Moscow in 1921, he developed a distinctive literary style blending satire, fantasy, and historical realism. His works frequently faced censorship, with "Flight" and several others banned by Soviet authorities for allegedly glorifying anti-Bolshevik perspectives. Despite this, his play "The Days of the Turbins" earned Stalin's personal admiration, reportedly being attended by the Soviet leader over fifteen times. Bulgakov's legacy endures through his profound influence on Russian literature and his unflinching portrayals of societal transformation.