Anton Chekhov (1860-1904) was born in southern Russia, studied medicine in Moscow, and began working as a physician. While still young, he became well known for his short stories and sketches. His first works for the theatre were one-act comedies, while his earliest full-length play was Ivanov (1887). The opening night of The Seagull at the Alexandrinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg was a failure.
His meeting with Konstantine Stanislawski had a decisive influence on his writing, while the Moscow Art Theatre was similarly important to him: his plays there were greatly acclaimed and it was where he met his wife, the actress Olga Knipper.
As a playwright, he specialised in psychological dramas whose characters struggle with corruption, love and morality, which is why he has famously been described as an anatomist of the human heart. Through his works, Chekhov commented on the Russian bourgeoisie and the country’s social problems. His writing is characterised by spare dialogue, pungent humour, irony, and a wealth of symbolism. Much of the inspiration for his characters came from his experience as a medical practitioner and the observation of his patients.
He was dogged by poor health and died in 1904 of tuberculosis.

 

A short list of his plays:
Platonov, Ivanoff, Uncle Vanya,The seagull, Three sisters, The cherry orchard.

 

Aren’t you bored sitting like this? Even the air is thick with tedium! (Ivanoff)

 

If I were a writer, like you, I’d dedicate my life to other people. (The seagull)