Vlas Doroshevich
Vlas Mikhailovich Doroshevich (, April 17, 1864 – February 22, 1922), was one of Russia's most popular and widely read journalists, and a novelist, essayist, drama critic, and short story writer. Early life Doroshevich was born in Moscow, where his mother Alexandra Sokolova was a member of the wealthy upper class. She was educated at the prestigious Smolny Institute in St. Petersburg, but was disinherited by her family for marrying Vlas's father, who was an unsuccessful writer, and far beneath her in social status. He died shortly before Vlas was born. When Vlas was six months old, Alexandra, who had two other children and was struggling financially, brought him to Moscow and gave him to a childless couple by the name of Doroshevich. His mother requested that he be named Blaise in honor of the French philosopher Blaise Pascal, but his adopted parents Russianized the name as Vlasii, or Vlas. Ten years later Alexandra reclaimed custody of Vlas through legal procedures that Mikhail Doroshevich, Vlas's adopted father, said had violated his rights. Career At the age of sixteen Vlas withdrew from school, and left home because of a desire to be amongst the people. Rather than doing social work as