Dictionary.net

A celebrated Russian poet and dramatist; born at Oboukhovka, in 1757; died there, Nov. 9, 1824. His chief work, "Chicanery" (1798), a comedy in verse, forbidden by the censor, was performed by express permission of the emperor. It has been more than once reprinted (last in 1888), was translated into French, and has furnished several proverbs. It is an Aristophanic satire on the old justice in Russia- showing, as has been wittily said, "the Russian Themis stark-naked". He wrote also many exquisite lyrics. ("Works", St. Petersburg, 1849.)