Mikhail Kuzmin, a professional composer, became a published poet only at the age of thirty-two, but he quickly won for himself a distinctive place in Russian literature. A prolific writer, he worked in many genres besides poetry, including prose, drama, and criticism; he was also a lifelong diarist. Often based on his own experiences, Kuzmin's poetry is stylistically diverse and formally innovative. Taken as a whole, his body of poetic works can be viewed as a continuous meditation on the mystery of love. Kuzmin was an exceptional narrator and stylist; he has been distinguished as "an outstanding master of Russian prose." In addition, he was one of the first writers who openly introduced the theme of homosexuality to Russian literature.

Mikhail Alekseevich Kuzmin was born on 6 October 1872 in Iaroslavl'. He was the second youngest child in a large family, which--while not wealthy--claimed an ancient and noble lineage. The...