Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin (1799-1837) was a Russian author often considered to be the greatest Russian poet and the founder of modern Russian literature. Of a noble family which traced its lineage back to the 12th century, Pushkin began publishing at age 15. He graduated from the Imperial Lyceum near St. Petersburg and embarked on a successful literary career. Pushkin gradually became committed to social reform and emerged as a spokesman for literary radicals. He died in a duel with his wife's alleged lover in 1837.