Novelist, born in Moscow. He became a military engineer, but turned to literature, publishing Bednye lyudi (Poor Folk) in 1846. Joining revolutionary circles in St Petersburg, he was condemned to death (1849), reprieved at the last moment, and sent to hard labour in Siberia. In 1859 he returned to St Petersburg, where he wrote his masterpiece, Prestupleniye i nakazaniye (1866, Crime and Punishment), one of the most powerful realistic works of fiction. Other important books are Idiot (1868--9, The Idiot) and Bratya Karamazovy (1879--80, The Brothers Karamazov). Domestic trials, financial troubles (caused by gambling debts), and ill health (epilepsy) clouded his later life. He lived for a time in W Europe (1867--71), then returned to work as a journalist in St Petersburg.