Goncharov, Ivan

Ivan Goncharov (1812 - 1891) was a Russian realist novelist. Born in Simbirsk to a wealthy grain merchant father, he graduated from Moscow University in 1834 and then served as a minor government official for thirty years. Goncharov is best known for his novel, Oblomov (1859), which deals with the indecisiveness of the main character, Oblomov and his dealings with the Russian aristocracy. His first novel, Obyknovennaia istoriia(A Common Story), appeared in 1847.

A Russian writer whose work in Realism gained great popularity. He commented on, and criticized the nobility and their atitudes. At the same time his work showed considerable marks of his belief in race superiority.