Ogarev Nikolai Platonovich

Russian Russian poet Nikolai Platonovich Ogarev is a Russian poet, publicist, revolutionary democrat, one of the ideologists of "Russian socialism", the closest friend and associate of A. I. Herzen.

Years of life: November 24 [December 6], 1813, St. Petersburg‑Petersburg — May 31 [June 12], 1877, Greenwich, near London.

Biography
Childhood and youth. He grew up in a noble family, lost his mother at an early age. In 1820, the family moved to Moscow, where, at the age of about 10, Ogarev met Alexander Herzen; later they took an oath on Vorobyovy Gory to devote their lives to the struggle for freedom.
Studying and harassment. He was a free student at Moscow University, participated in student circles, and was fond of philosophy (Hegel, etc.). Because of his free thinking and correspondence "in the constitutional spirit," he was arrested in 1834 and then sent into exile in Penza province.
Attempts at transformations in the estate. In 1846, he settled on his estate and was one of the first to try to implement liberation ideas in practice: he freed the peasants of the village of Beloomut (about 1800 souls), forgave debts, endowed land, tried to farm on a collective basis, but suffered a financial collapse.
Emigration and collaboration with Herzen. Since 1856, he lived in exile (London, then Geneva). Together with Herzen, he headed the Free Russian Printing House, was a co-editor and author of articles for the newspaper Kolokol, promoting the program of eliminating serfdom and political reforms. Participated in the creation of the Earth and Freedom Society (1860-1861).
Literary work. He wrote lyrical poems and poems; the most famous is the poem "Humor" (parts were published in 1840-1841 and 1867-1868). In poetry, he combined romantic motifs with a civic theme.
The end of life. He spent his last years in poverty. He died in 1877 in Greenwich; in 1966, his ashes were transported to Moscow and buried at the Novodevichy Cemetery.

Heritage
Ogarev is named after streets in many Russian cities, as well as Penza State University.
His literary and journalistic legacy is preserved and studied in archives and major libraries (the Russian State Library of Russia, the National Library of Russia, etc.), as well as in collections related to the history of Russian emigration and public thought.
Materials about him are presented in expositions and scientific centers devoted to the history of the liberation movement, including in museums associated with A. I. Herzen.