“In this house was born the writer Vladimir Vladimirovich Nabokov” declares the plaque before us. The Vladimir Nabokov Plaque marks the birthplace of one of the 20th century’s most influential and controversial writers. Let’s delve into the story of Vladimir Nabokov and the house that shaped his early life.
Vladimir Nabokov was born in this very building at 47 Bolshaya Morskaya Street in 1899. He spent his formative years here before his family was forced to flee Russia after the Communist Revolution. This house remained his “only home in the world” even as he lived a nomadic life in rented rooms and hotels.
The building itself has a rich history. Constructed around 1740 it was initially a single-story structure. Over the years it underwent several renovations reflecting the changing tastes and fortunes of its inhabitants. Nabokov’s grandfather acquired the house in 1898 planning to give it to Nabokov’s mother Yelena Rukavishnikova upon her marriage to Vladimir Dmitrievich Nabokov.
Vladimir Nabokov’s father was a prominent lawyer and politician. He played a significant role in the Constitutional Democratic Party. The ground floor of this house often hosted meetings of the party attended by famous politicians of the era.
Growing up in this house Vladimir Nabokov was a trilingual child. He was fluent in Russian French and English. His room after reconstruction was on the third floor. He described his childhood home in his autobiographical works “Other Shores” and “Speak Memory”. These works offer glimpses into the life and atmosphere of this house during his youth.
After the Nabokovs left St Petersburg in 1917 the building served various purposes during the Soviet period. It housed the Northern Telegraph Company and later the Leningrad branch of the Academy of Architecture. Ironically the latter’s tenure led to the destruction of much of the mansion’s original interiors.
In 1998 the Nabokov Museum opened on the first floor. It is dedicated to preserving and celebrating Vladimir Nabokov’s life and works. Restoration efforts are ongoing to restore the building to its former glory.
The Nabokov Museum houses a collection of 3500 items. These include Vladimir Nabokov’s personal belongings and an extensive collection of his books. His son Dmitry Nabokov donated items such as a pince-nez index cards pencils and a butterfly net. The museum also displays a unique collection of butterflies collected by Vladimir Nabokov which was received from Harvard University’s Museum of Comparative Zoology.
The Vladimir Nabokov Plaque serves as a reminder of the writer’s connection to this place. It invites us to reflect on the impact of his upbringing and surroundings on his literary imagination. The house stands as a testament to Vladimir Nabokov’s enduring legacy. It also reminds us of the turbulent history of Russia in the 20th century.