Hryhorii Skovoroda

Biography overview

• 1722

  Hryhorii Skovoroda was born in the village of Chornukhy, Kyiv region, Ukraine.

• 1731

  His father, a priest, began teaching him at home.

• 1740

  Skovoroda entered the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, where he studied philosophy, languages, music, and theology.

• 1745

  He graduated from the academy and became a teacher there.

• 1750

  Skovoroda left the academy and began traveling across Ukraine, teaching and preaching his philosophical ideas.

• 1762

  He published his first book, "A Conversation Between a Philosopher, a Jew, and a Christian," which was controversial due to its criticism of organized religion.

• 1772

  Skovoroda moved to Saint Petersburg and became a tutor for the wealthy Shuvalov family.

• 1779

  He returned to Ukraine and settled in the city of Kharkiv, where he continued to teach and write.

• 1784

  Skovoroda died in Kharkiv at the age of 62.