Mikhail Lermontov

Mikhail Lermontov (1814 – 1841) is the author of a number of narrative poems including The Corsair (1828) and The Fugitive (1846), as well as the Romantic masterpiece Demon (1939).  He was much influenced by Byron and was fascinated by the Russian Middle Ages, as well as having a great love of the natural world.  He died in a duel at the age of only 26.