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Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, as for me, is the greatest Russian dramatist and short-story writer.

Chekhov was born in 1860 in Taganrog. In 1879 he went to Moscow, where he studied medicine. Though he practised little as a doctor in his lifetime, he was prouder of his medical knowledge more than of his writing talent.

While in college, Chekhov wrote humorous sketches for comic papers to support his family. He collected the best ones into a volume, Motley Stories, in 1886. After he was noticed and offered to be an editor in the Novoe Vremya journal.

 Chekhov, as an established writer, managed to develop his own style. Though he never gave up writing comic stories, he began working in a more serious vein. In 1887 "Ivanov", his first play, made Chekhov a dramatist.

From then on, he concentrated on writing plays, as well as short stories.

Once Anton Chekhov became seriously ill with tuberculosis.

He wrote some of his best stories with difficulties, including "Ward No.6", "The Seagull" and "Uncle Vanya".

Chekhov's health went from bad to worse. 

"Cherry Orchard", his last play, was produced in 1904. Soon after the first night Chekhov died. He was 44.

Summarizing, Chekhov had an immense influence on the 20th century drama. Besides, several generations of writers both in Russia and abroad studied and imitated Chekhov to perfect their own literary style.