Nikolay Martynov, who killed M. Yu. Lermontov in a duel: biography

Just four years after the shock of Pushkin's death, a duel took place between M. Yu. Lermontov and retired Major Nikolay Martynov. As a result, the poet was killed, and the second participant of the fight got off with a three-month arrest and church repentance. Although Lermontov's last duel, which ended in his death, took place more than 175 years ago, disputes still remain about whether Martynov really shot a man who discharged the pistol into the air, that is, committed a murder.

Origin

To better understand the motives of human actions, the bullet of which has put an end to the short biography of M. Yu. Lermontov, one should learn about its origin.

So, NS Martynov was a native of the Moscow nobles. His grandfather earned a fortune on wine purchases, that is, for a fee, he acquired the right of the state to levy a tax from drinking establishments, which he succeeded in. At the end of the 18th century it was believed that aristocrats did not have to deal with such matters. However, Mikhail Ilyich, although very shy of his, as they say today, business, nevertheless wished the son to continue his business, as it gave a stable income. He called it a name, uncharacteristic for the people of his class. Thus, Nikolai Solomonovich Martynov, whose nationality immediately after Lermontov's death became the subject of speculation, is undoubtedly Russian.

Parents and Childhood

Martynov's father, Solomon Mikhailovich Martynov, rose to the rank of State Councilor and died in 1839. His wife Elizaveta Mikhailovna came from the noble family of Tarnowski. In total there were eight children in the Martynov family: 4 sons and 4 daughters. They, especially boys, received an excellent education, had enough money to feel at ease among the golden youth, and had an attractive appearance.

Nikolai Martynov was born in 1815 and was only a year younger than Lermontov. He had a talent for literary work since childhood and began to write poetry early, imitating the famous poets of his time.

Study

In 1831 Nikolai Martynov entered the School of Guards Sub-Lieutenants and Cavalry Junkers. Lamontov was there a year later. The latter was forced to file a petition to leave Moscow University because of an unpleasant story with one of the professors, and did not want to go to St. Petersburg, because there he was offered to start again from the first year.

The Nikolaev Cavalry School, in which young people turned out to be, was one of the most famous in Russia. It was accepted only by noblemen after studying at the university or in private boarding houses that had no military training. During the studies, Lermontov and Nikolai Solomonovich Martynov often engaged in fencing on the espadron and were quite familiar. In addition, the poet was introduced to many members of the Martynov family, and Nikolai's brother Mikhail was his classmate. Subsequently, they wrote that one of Nicholas's sisters even became partly a prototype of Princess Mary. It is known that Martynov's mother was extremely unflattering about Lermontov for his caustic jokes, but her son was delighted with the poetic talent of his schoolmate.

Service

Upon completion of his studies, Nikolai Martynov was sent to serve in the then prestigious Cavalry Regiment, in which, during the same period, he was an officer of Dantes. During the Caucasian War, he, like many members of his generation, volunteered for the front in the hope of becoming famous and returning to the capital in the ranks and military orders. There, during the military expedition of the Caucasian detachment for the Kuban River, Nikolai Solomonovich Martynov proved to be a brave officer. For his military merits, he was even awarded the Order of St. Anna with a bow, and he was in good standing with the command.

Resignation

Circumstances developed in such a way that Nikolai Martynov could well hope for a successful career. However, until now an unexplained reason in 1841, being in the rank of major (we recall that almost his peer Lermontov was at that time only a lieutenant), he unexpectedly filed a petition for resignation. It was said that the young man was forced to do this, as he was caught cheating during a card game, which among officers was considered an extremely shameful phenomenon. In favor of such rumors, many cited the fact that Nikolai Martynov, who had sufficient financial means and connections, did not return to the capital, but settled far away from society in Pyatigorsk and led a reclusive life. Among the holidaymakers and local Russian society, the former major was known as an eccentric and original, as he was dressed in the clothes of the mountaineers and walked with a huge dagger, causing ridicule among former co-workers.

M. Yu. Lermontov in the Caucasus

By 1841 the poet had already become famous throughout Russia thanks to his poems about Pushkin. The troubles of the grandmother, who has an influential family among the courtiers, allowed him to avoid a more serious punishment. He was sent to the Caucasus as an ensign to the Nizhny Novgorod regiment. This business trip did not last long, and soon he again shone in the Moscow salons. Perhaps it would have been different if there had not been a quarrel in the house of Countess Laval with Ernest de Barant. The son of a French diplomat saw an insult in an epigram, which, as shared acquaintances told him, was written by M. Yu. Lermontov. During the duel that took place not far from the place where Pushkin was fatally wounded, nothing tragic happened: the sword of one of the rivals broke, Barant missed, and the poet shot into the air. However, the fact of the match was not concealed, and the poet was exiled to the Caucasus, although he attempted to retire.

The reasons for the duel with Martynov

From the Northern capital, the poet first came to Stavropol, where his Tenginsky regiment was stationed, and after a while went on a short-term vacation to Pyatigorsk. And his friends persuaded him not to do it. There he met many of his Petersburg acquaintances, including Martynov. Evil to the language of Lermontov was extremely amused by the bellicose look of the former classmate. The latter has long held a grudge against the poet, since he believed that he ridiculed him in his epigrams, in which the names of Martysh and Solomon appeared. Subsequently, as the reason for the duel, the version was also considered, according to which Martynov believed that Lermontov had compromised his sister. It also indicated the rivalry of young people over the favor of the French actress Adele, who was in the Caucasus on tour.

Quarrel

Two days before the tragedy, her protagonists met in the house of General Versilin. The future second of the poet and his longtime friend Prince Trubetskoi, as well as the wife and daughter of the owner of the house, were also present there. In their presence, Lermontov began to make jokes about the ridiculous "highlander." By tragic accident at these words the music stopped, and they were heard by everyone, including Martynov, as always, dressed up in Circassian music. As later recalled the common acquaintances of Lermontov and Martynov, this was not the first time that the poet mocked the retired major. He tolerated as long as one could pretend that jokes do not have anything to do with him. However, during the musical evening at the Versilins everything was too obvious, and the duel of Lermontov with Martynov became inevitable. The insulted "highlander" loudly declared that he no longer intended to ridicule, and left. The poet reassured the ladies that tomorrow he and Nikolai Solomonovich will reconcile, as "this happens".

Duel of Lermontov with Martynov

In the evening of the same day, Mikhail and Nikolay had an unpleasant conversation, during which a call to a duel was made. The bout took place the next day. According to the generally accepted version, Lermontov reacted lightly to everything that was happening and fired into the air. Thus, he angered Martynov even more and got a bullet in his chest. Since there was no doctor present during the duel, medical assistance was not provided, although she could hardly have saved Lermontov's life.

After the duel Martynov was sentenced to deprivation of all the rights of the estate and demotion. However, Nicholas II decided to limit the punishment to a three-month imprisonment in a guardhouse.

Little is known about Martynov's life after the duel. He died at the age of 60 and was buried in his name in Ievlevo.