Ilf, Ilya Arnoldovich (1897–1937)

Russian humorous writer. He worked in collaboration with a fellow native of Odessa, Evgeni Petrov. They began their literary partnership in 1927, producing two satirical novels, Dvenadsat stulyev/The Twelve Chairs 1928 and Zolotoi telenok/The Golden Calf 1931, featuring the charming swindler Ostap Bender, and satirizing aspects of Soviet life. Ilf and Petrov also wrote Odnoetazhnaya Amerika/One-Storied America 1936, about their visit to the USA.

Ilf and Petrov's satires incurred Stalin's displeasure, but were (and still are) immensely popular in Russia.