Fyodor Dostoevsky's Milestones

Fyodor Dostoevsky was a Russian novelist whose masterpieces like Crime and Punishment and The Brothers Karamazov deeply examined human psychology, morality, and existential themes.
1821

Birth

Fyodor Dostoevsky was born in Moscow, Russia, to Mikhail and Maria Dostoevsky.

Family November 11, 1821
1837

Mother's death

Lost his mother to tuberculosis, a profound early loss.

Family February 27, 1837
1838

Military Engineering School

Attended the Nikolayev Military Engineering Institute in Saint Petersburg.

Education January 16, 1838 - August 12, 1843
1839

Father's death

His father's death, possibly murdered by his serfs, deeply affected him.

Family June 1, 1839
1846

Debut novel published

Published his debut novel, 'Poor Folk,' to immediate critical acclaim.

Achievement January 15, 1846
1849

Arrest for subversion

Arrested for participating in the Petrashevsky Circle, a literary discussion group.

Other April 23, 1849

Mock execution

Endured a mock execution, last-minute reprieve, and exile to Siberia.

Other December 22, 1849
1850

Siberian imprisonment

Served four years in a Siberian labor camp in Omsk.

Other January 23, 1850 - February 15, 1854
1854

Compulsory military service

Served as a soldier in Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan, after prison.

Career February 15, 1854 - October 1, 1859
1857

Marriage to Maria Dmitrievna

Married Maria Dmitrievna Isaeva, a widow with a son.

Relationship February 6, 1857
1859

Return to Saint Petersburg

Allowed to return to European Russia, settling in Tver before moving to Saint Petersburg.

Location December 1, 1859
1862

Gambling addiction

Struggled with a severe gambling addiction, particularly in German casinos.

Other January 1, 1862 - December 31, 1871

First trip to Europe

Traveled through Western Europe, including London, Paris, and Geneva.

Location June 7, 1862 - October 1, 1863
1864

Publication of 'Notes from Underground'

Published 'Notes from Underground,' a precursor to existential literature.

Achievement January 1, 1864

Death of first wife

Maria Dmitrievna died of tuberculosis.

Family April 15, 1864
1866

Publication of 'Crime and Punishment'

Published 'Crime and Punishment' serially in The Russian Messenger.

Achievement January 1, 1866 - December 31, 1866
1867

Marriage to Anna Snitkina

Married Anna Snitkina, who became his literary assistant and later his publisher.

Relationship February 15, 1867

Exile in Europe

Lived in Western Europe to escape creditors, primarily in Geneva, Florence, and Dresden.

Location April 14, 1867 - July 8, 1871
1869

Publication of 'The Idiot'

Published 'The Idiot,' exploring themes of innocence and corruption.

Achievement January 1, 1869
1871

Return to Russia

Returned to Saint Petersburg after years abroad.

Location July 8, 1871
1872

Publication of 'Demons'

Published 'Demons,' a political novel inspired by contemporary revolutionary movements.

Achievement January 1, 1872
1873

Edited 'The Citizen'

Edited the conservative journal 'The Citizen.'

Career January 1, 1873 - April 1, 1874
1876

'Writer's Diary' publication

Published 'A Writer's Diary,' a collection of essays and short stories.

Achievement January 1, 1876 - January 31, 1881
1880

Pushkin Speech

Delivered a famous speech at the unveiling of the Pushkin Monument in Moscow.

Achievement June 8, 1880

Publication of 'The Brothers Karamazov'

Published 'The Brothers Karamazov,' considered his magnum opus.

Achievement November 1, 1880
1881

Death

Fyodor Dostoevsky died in Saint Petersburg, Russia, from complications of emphysema and epilepsy.

Other February 9, 1881