Vladimir Orlov is known in our time as a literary critic who devoted himself to the study of the works of Alexander Blok. Moreover, the range of scientific interests of Vladimir Nikolaevich was very extensive and covered many different topics: from enlighteners of the 18th century to children's literature.
Orlov's childhood and youth
Not much is known about Orlov’s childhood and youth. Vladimir Nikolaevich Orlov was born on June 22, 1908 in the Novgorod province in the family of an employee. The city of Valdai is considered its small homeland, in which the future literary critic did not spend much time. He graduated from school in Leningrad, where he later decided to connect his life with literature and entered the Institute of Art History at the Verbal Department. All the most significant events in the life of Orlov are connected with St. Petersburg. Having spent most of his life there, he sincerely fell in love with this city. After graduating from the institute in 1929, Vladimir Nikolaevich immediately began active literary work.
Orlov is the pseudonym of a literary critic. His real name is Shapiro. Not many photos of Vladimir Nikolaevich Orlov have survived to our days, but, fortunately, his scientific works, which are of value today, have been preserved.
The beginning of a literary career
The greatest activity of Vladimir Nikolaevich Orlov as a literary critic occurred during the period after graduation. By the way, the first publications Orlov began to appear much earlier. Almost immediately after graduation, when he was a first-year student, he begins to try himself in literary work. He was very interested in the work of writers and poets of the 19th century. An as yet unknown to anyone freshman, and in the future a well-known literary critic Vladimir Nikolaevich Orlov, is passionately interested in the Patriotic War of 1812 (Denis Davydov) and gymnasium life (The Diary of V. K. Kuchelbecker). A special place among the spheres of his scientific interests is occupied by the theme of revolution. In 1950, his works were published dedicated to Radishchev - the author of the famous "Travel from St. Petersburg to Moscow." In them he analyzes the work not only of Radishchev, but also of his followers - a whole galaxy of poets and thinkers who are unhappy with the 18-19 centuries existing in Russia. political structure.
In 1951, Vladimir Nikolaevich Orlov published a work dedicated to the Decembrists - “Decembrists. Poetry, dramaturgy, prose, journalism. ”
In the 30s Orlov writes for many Leningrad newspapers, published in many magazines. In 1938, he received the position of head of the critical department of the journal Literary Contemporary.
The activities of Orlov in the Great Patriotic War are significant. The war affected all citizens of the Soviet Union. She did not pass over Orlova. As a writer, he was entrusted with a special mission. Like many of his colleagues, during the war he was a front-line press correspondent. Towards the end of the war, Vladimir Nikolaevich became a member of the editorial board of Zvezda magazine.
After the war, he returns to his usual scientific activities and works as a senior research fellow at the Institute of Culture of the Academy of Sciences.
The main works of Vladimir Nikolaevich
The interests of Orlov as a literary critic include the work of Radishchev and his followers, Decembrists, figures of the enlightenment and, of course, the life and work of Alexander Blok.
His most famous literary essays are “Ways and Fates,” published in 1971, “The Epigram and Satire,” dedicated to the literary struggle of the early 19th century, “Russian Enlighteners of 1790-1800,” “Radio Poets and Decembrists”.
A special role was played in the work of Orlov by the poet Alexander Blok. He is dedicated to his famous work “Gamayun”, which describes the poet’s biography published in 1978 and many other scientific works.
A little-known fact is that Orlov published books for children - collections of children's poems and fairy tales.
The role of the Bloc in the life of Vladimir Nikolaevich
The biography of Vladimir Nikolaevich Orlov would not be complete without mentioning the role of Alexander Blok in his scientific work. For many Eagles, he is known precisely as a researcher of the work of Blok. Interest in the poets of the Silver Age arose in the writer in adulthood, approximately in the seventies of the last century, when he was already about 60 years old.
He spoke of Blok as the pinnacle of Russian poetry and a remarkable phenomenon of Russian art culture.
In addition to the aforementioned “Gamayuna”, Orlov publishes the book “Poet and the City”, which examines the relationship between the poet and St. Petersburg, traces the development of the poet’s thoughts in connection with the special fate and role of this city. The book is divided into two parts: the first gives an analysis of the ideological and artistic features, the second examines the poet’s relationship with St. Petersburg from the everyday point of view. The emphasis is on the fact that St. Petersburg, even being Leningrad, retains the originality of the old time, which inspired poets at all times.
Later years
Until the seventies Orlov worked as an editor at the publishing house "Soviet Writer", he studied the work of poets of the Silver Age, wrote works on the Blok, and until the last days he was engaged in scientific activities.
In 1956-1970, the chief editor of the "Library of the poet" (publishing house "Soviet writer").
Died V.N. Orlov in March 1985. His grave is located in St. Petersburg at the Volkovsky cemetery.
Awards of Vladimir Nikolaevich Orlov
Orlov has been repeatedly noted as a talented literary critic and scientist.
In 1951, he was awarded the prestigious Stalin Prize of the third degree. He received it for the book "Russian Enlighteners of 1790-1800."
The writer has medals received in the Great Patriotic War. These include the medal "For the Defense of Leningrad" and for valiant labor during the war years.