Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) was a Russian writer and philosopher, best known for his novels "War and Peace" and "Anna Karenina." He was born into an aristocratic family in Tula, Russia, and was educated at home by private tutors. After serving in the army, Tolstoy embarked on a literary career, publishing his first novel, "Childhood," in 1852. Over the course of his career, he became one of the most important figures in Russian literature, and his novels are regarded as classics of world literature. In addition to his literary work, Tolstoy was also a committed social and political activist, and he wrote extensively on issues such as pacifism, anarchism, and the role of the individual in society. He was critical of the Russian Orthodox Church and the state, and his views on these topics led to his excommunication from the church in 1901. Tolstoy's later years were marked by a spiritual awakening, and he became increasingly interested in the teachings of Jesus Christ. He embraced a philosophy of simple living and nonviolence, and his ideas had a profound impact on figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. Tolstoy died of pneumonia in 1910, but his work continues to be studied and admired around the world for its insight into the human condition and its exploration of complex social and political issues.