Tvardovsky, Alexander (or Aleksandr) (1910–1971)

Russian poet and editor. Early work such as Path to Socialism (1931) and The Land of Muravia (1936; Stalin Prize 1941) repudiates individualism and commends collectivized farming. His humorous wartime poem ‘Vasili Tyorkin’ (1941–45) was extremely popular. As editor of the journal Novy Mir/New Worlf 1950–54 and 1958–70, he encouraged innovative and outspoken writers such as Solzhenitsyn. By Right of Memory (1967–69), an attempt to tell the whole truth about his times, was banned by the censor.