A genius is born

Leo Tolstoy is born into the aristocracy on August 28, 1828, on a country estate called Yasnaya Polyana, 190 kilometres south of Moscow. His ancestors include brave knights, famous Vikings, military heroes and confidantes of Tsars.

He has freedom, privileges and opportunities because class defines life in Russia in the 1800s. He is also born into wealth but because one of his grandfathers squanders it, his father marries his mother with her money in mind.

After bearing five children in seven years his mother falls ill and dies. Little Leo is only two years old. Six years later, his father dies. But he has women who dote on him, siblings to share his adventures and servants to cater for his every need. He moves between the country, Moscow and the provincial town of Kazan.

Aristocratic Ancestry
Parents
Death of Leo's Mother
Death of Leo's Father