Marina Ivanovna Tsvetaeva (October 8, 1892 –August 31, 1941) was a seminal Russian poet, playwright, and diarist, whose powerful verse captured the emotional turmoil and political upheaval of early 20th-century Russia. Celebrated for her lyrical intensity and bold experimentation, Tsvetaeva remains a towering figure in modern Russian literature.
Born in Moscow to a cultured, intellectual family, Tsvetaeva began publishing poetry in her teens. Her early collections, Evening Album (1910) and Mileposts (1916), earned her critical acclaim. As both a witness to and victim of the Russian Revolution and Civil War, she lived much of her life in exile—first in Prague, then in Paris—producing some of her most profound work, including The Poem of the End and The Poem of the Mountain.
Tsvetaeva’s writing reflects themes of love, loss, exile, and spiritual longing, often marked by emotional rawness and sharp lyricism. In addition to poetry, she wrote poignant memoirs about fellow poets like Anna Akhmatova and Rainer Maria Rilke, and essays that offered unique insights into the creative process.
Returning to the Soviet Union in 1939, Tsvetaeva faced repression, poverty, and personal tragedy. She died by suicide in 1941, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and poetic brilliance that continues to resonate worldwide.