Viktor Bilibin

Viktor Viktorovich Bilibin (Russian: Виктор Викторович Билибин, 2 February 1859, Saint Petersburg, Imperial Russia, — 25 June 1908, Saint Petersburg) was a Russian writer and playwright, one of the leading Russian humourists and satirists of the late 19th century, who used the pen name I. Grek (И. Грэк). His best-known stories were collected in the books Love and Laughter (Любовь и смех, 1882), Humour and Fantasy (Юмор и фантазия, 1897) and Humorous Patterns (Юмористические узоры, 1898).^[1] After Nikolai Leykin's death he became the editor-in-chief of Oskolki (1906—1908).^[2]

Viktor Bilibin
Born	Виктор Викторович Билибин (1859-02-02)2 February 1859 Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire
Died	25 June 1908(1908-06-25) (aged 49) Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire
Occupation(s)	journalist, playwright, humourist, editor

Bilibin was a friend of Anton Chekhov, whom he corresponded with for 15 years (since 1885). The two co-authored at least one humorous sketch "Motley Fairytales" (Пёстрые сказки, Novaya Gazeta, 1886), signed The Two Ajaxes (Два Аякса).^[2] Chekhov admired Bilibin's sketches, referred to him as 'great talent'^[3] and cited him as an early influence.^[1]

Bilibin authored several humorous plays; they were produced by Alexandrinsky Theatre, as well as numerous provincial troupes, but failed to impress the critics. Alexander Amfiteatrov commented: "This man had been created for subtle, intelligent irony but in the long run chose to serve the primitive, guttural laughter. And he lost his gift of a humorist."^[4][2]

References

1. Katayev, V.B. Chekhov and His Literary Friends // Чехов и его литературное окружение. Изд-во Моск. ун-та, 1982.
2. Bilibin's biography at the Russian Writers. Biobibliographical Dictionary // Русские писатели. Биобиблиографический словарь. Т. 1. А—Л. — Под редакцией П. А. Николаева. — М.: «Просвещение», 1990
3. Shatalov, S. E. Antosha Chekhonte and Viktor Bilibin // Шаталов С. Е. Два таланта (Антоша Чехонте и Виктор Билибин)] // Чехов и его время. — Чехов и его время. М.: Наука, 1977. С. 20 – 38.
4. The Triznas by A. Amfiteatrov // Амфитеатров А. Тризны.-- С. 152