Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol (Russian: Никола́й Васи́льевич Го́голь, Nikolaj Vasil'evič Gogol' ; Russian pronunciation: [nʲɪkɐˈlaj vɐˈsʲilʲjɪvʲɪtɕ ˈɡoɡəlʲ]; Ukrainian: Мико́ла Васи́льович Го́голь, Mykola Vasylovych Hohol) (31 March [O.S. 19 March] 1809,^[1] – 4 March [O.S. 21 February] 1852) was a Ukrainian-born Russian novelist, humorist, and dramatist.^[1] His early works, such as Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka, were heavily influenced by his Ukrainian upbringing and identity.^[2][3]