Gumilev, Nikolai Stepanovich

Gumilev, Nikolai Stepanovich nyĭkəlī´ styĭpä´nəvĭch go͞omēlyôf´ [key], 1886–1921, Russian poet. With his wife, the poet AnnaAkhmatova, and Gorodetsky Gumilev, he founded theAcmeistschool of poetry in 1912. He traveled widely in Europe and, especially, in Africa, and his poetic imagery is enhanced by the frequent use of foreign and exotic elements.The Pillar of Fire(1921) contains much of his best work. Gumilev was executed by the Bolsheviks for alleged conspiratorial activities.

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