Biography Nadezhda Durov

The Vyatka “cavalry-girl” is little known, but the legendary “cavalry-girl”, the first Russian woman officer Nadezhda Durov lived in the Vyatka province for a long time. However, the biography of Durova in itself is amazing and dramatic. Her unique story is brightly described in the curious memoirs of “Notes of a gentleman-girl”. Durova, G. Drawing by V. Gau Nadezhda Andreevna Durov was born on September 17, a mother, passionately wishing her son, from an early age did not like her daughter.

Once, when a one -year -old Nadezhda cried in a carriage for a long time, her mother grabbed her from the hands of the nanny and threw her out the window. Naturally, such a tragic moment left a deep mark in the minds of hope. From an early age, she hated the traditional fate and lifestyle of Russian women. Here is what Durova wrote in “Notes” on this subject: “Mother told me: a woman should be born, live and die in slavery, eternal capita, painful dependence and all kinds of oppression is her share from the cradle to the grave, she is fulfilled by weaknesses, devoid of all perfection and is not capable of nothing.

In a word, a woman is the most unhappy, most insignificant and contemptuous creation in the light ... I decided to separate from the floor, which, as I thought, was under the curse of God. " Further, Durova writes that he would like to "get out of the sphere prescribed by nature and customs of the female sex." No sooner said than done. In Durov, at night she escaped from the house and went after the regiment, dressing in a Cossack dress.

For a long time she pretended to be Alexander Vasilyevich Sokolov, the son of the landowner, later she began to call herself Alexander Andreevich Alexandrov. The regiment was surprised that the nobleman wears a Cossack uniform, but for some reason they believed her stories. Despite the fact that the Cossack life was complicated, Durova was in a constant state of careless joy, she liked to spend time with the Cossacks in training and campaigns.

In the “Notes” she seems to turn to her peers, young girls: “Freedom, the precious gift of the sky, finally became my lot forever! You, my young peers, are my admiration alone to you! I jump with joy, imagining that in all my life I will not hear any more words “You, girl, sit. It is indecent for you to walk alone! Durov Durov in the image of Alexander Andreevich Alexandrov participated in the battles of Gutshadt, Heilsberg, Friedland, and everywhere showed courage.

For the salvation of the wounded officer, in the midst of the battle, she was awarded the soldier's St. George Cross and was made to non-commissioned officers. Amazingly, but participating in the battles, she never spilled someone else's blood. During the Patriotic War, Durov commanded a semi -squadron, participated in the battles near Smolensk, defended the Semenovski Fleshas under Borodin, where she was shell -shocked by the nucleus in her leg, and left for treatment in Sarapul.

Later it was made in the rank of lieutenant, served as an orderly at Kutuzov. Judging by the “notes” of Durova, for the whole time that she served and fought, no one exposed her, everyone around them thought that she was a man. Of course, it is difficult for us to believe it: after all, long military campaigns are life, an endless joint pastime of the soldiers, it is difficult to conceal something from each other.

Therefore, most likely, Durov is cunning. Critics generally found that there are many inconsistencies in the “Notes”. For example, Durova managed to reduce her age for some reason. Interesting are the memories of Durova in psychological terms. A woman who for a long time pretended to be a man, eventually completely confused. It is known that Durova was very annoyed when she was not called Alexander Andreevich, and preferred not to return to her natural nature too often.

Provincial Sarapul of the Vyatka province. The beginning of the XX century. In this regard, the episode of her acquaintance with A. Durova met through her brother Vasily. Once he sent Pushkin his sister's memoirs with longing for writing, and the poet appreciated the originality of these notes. During a personal meeting, Pushkin frankly laughed at Durova, as she constantly confused, on behalf of a man or woman to tell her.

Then there was a completely embarrassment moment: “Pushkin, ending his speech, kissed my hand. I hastily grabbed her, blushed and I don’t know at all why she said: “Ah, my God! I have been wearing from this for so long! It is interesting that most of the life after leaving Durov’s troops continued to be a man in her image, therefore, as we see, she completely forgot how to be feminine.

With all this, it is not entirely clear how Durova had both an unsuccessful marriage and a son, who, incidentally, was born in the territory of the Vyatka province, was baptized in the Voznesensky Cathedral of the city of Sarapul. But with the son, Durova took shape a stretched relationship. Once he sent his mother a letter, asking her blessings for marriage. Seeing the appeal “Mamenka”, she, without reading, threw a letter into the fire in a terrible anger.

And only after the son sent a letter with a request to Alexander Andreevich, Durova wrote: “I bless”.The cover of the first edition of the “Notes of the Cavalist-girl” Life of her Durov lived in the small house of her brother in the city of Elabuga Vyatka province, surrounded only by his many dogs and cats. An attempt to get away from kitchen slavery, from a harsh female share, a traditional way of life, led only to complete loneliness at the end of life and a misunderstanding of society, a break with family and oblivion.

Durova ceased to be a woman, but she did not fully become a man. Nadezhda Andreevna died on March 21 April 2 She bequeathed to funeral as a servant of God Alexander, but the priest did not violate church rules. The film directed by Rimma Lapteva tells about military exploits, literary work and life in the Vyatka outback "Cavalryman-girl". Photo: Fejerverk-Krasok.