Mikhail Murav’ev, a Poet and Tutor of Virtue

Abstract

Murav’ev was a poet of moderate importance for the eighteenth century Russian literature. He was also a tutor of Catherine II’s grandsons, Alexander and Constantine. In this capacity, he prepared numerous handouts to teach Russian history, politics, science, and ethics. Murav’ev stressed the preeminence of virtue in everyone’s life. The voice of the heart should be the guide in resolving moral problems. This voice is the gift of God and as such it can be usually trusted. Thus, morality is based on theology. Murav’ev’s theology presents a grand vision of providential God who appears to be viewed from the unitarian perspective.