Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) was a Russian writer and philosopher who is widely regarded as one of the greatest novelists of all time. Born into an aristocratic family, Tolstoy received a privileged education and went on to serve in the Russian army during the Crimean War. After returning from the war, he began to write, publishing his first novel, "Childhood", in 1852.

Over the course of his career, Tolstoy wrote a number of other important works of fiction, including "War and Peace" (1869) and "Anna Karenina" (1877). Both of these novels are considered masterpieces of world literature and are still widely read and studied today.

In addition to his work as a writer, Tolstoy was also a philosopher and social reformer. He was deeply influenced by the ideas of Christianity, which he saw as a means of achieving social justice and spiritual enlightenment. Later in life, he became increasingly interested in nonviolence and pacifism, and his writings on these subjects would go on to influence a number of important figures, including Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.

Despite his fame and success, Tolstoy struggled with personal demons throughout his life. He was plagued by a sense of spiritual emptiness and existential despair, and his later years were marked by a deepening sense of alienation from society. He ultimately died in 1910, having renounced his wealth and status and embraced a life of simplicity and poverty.

Today, Tolstoy is remembered as one of the greatest writers of all time, and his works continue to inspire and captivate readers around the world. His legacy as a philosopher and social reformer is also significant, and his ideas continue to be studied and debated by scholars and activists alike.