Andrey Kistyakovsky
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Andrey Kistyakovsky | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 11, 1936 |
| Died | June 30, 1987 (aged 50) Moscow |
| Occupations | translator, human rights activist |
| Known for | Translations of the Darkness at Noon and The Lord of the Rings |
Andrey Andreyevich Kistyakovsky (Russian: Андрей Андреевич Кистяковский, 11 October 1936, Moscow–30 June 1987) was a Russian translator and political activist. He translated belles-lettres and poetry from English to Russian and began publishing in 1967.
Kistyakovsky's 1982 partial translation of The Lord of the Rings (together with Vladimir Muravyov) became the first official Russian translation and remains one of the most acclaimed Russian translations of the novel.[1]
Kistyakovsky hailed from an old dvoryan family. He left the school in the eighth grade and worked as a gasman and metalworker before entering Moscow State University.[2] In 1960s he chummed up with non-conformist artists. In 1971 he completed his graduation, majoring in the English language and literature.
From that time Kistyakovsky also engaged in politics, entering the Political Prisoners Relief Fund. He experienced searches, threats and even beating.[2] In June 1983 he was diagnosed with cancer and was hospitalized. Though he was refused to be treated in the Soviet Union, Kistyakovsky was buried at Dolgoprudnenskoye Cemetery.[3]
