Leo Tolstoy was a leading Russian novelist and one of the greatest literary figures in the world. He studied agro-social problems and wrote treatise on them. Tolstoy's greatness as a philosopher writer rests on three novels 'War and Peace', ‘Anna Karenina' and 'Resurrection'.

    Leo Tolstoy was born in 1828 in Russia. His father and mother died when he was a boy. His uncle brought him up and sent him to Kazan for studies.

    In his childhood, he showed no signs of greatness and during youth he served in the army. In 1856, Tolstoy resigned from the army and started pursuing a career in literary writing. Tolstoy published short stories which won him acclaim from the masses and critics.

    At the age of thirty-four, Tolstoy married a young lady of eighteen years. His wife was devoted to him. She took over the responsibilities of the household, while Tolstoy devoted himself to writing. His first writing works were 'Childhood', 'Boyhood' and 'Youth'. His writings became famous for they became medium of expression for human sentiments. They hold appeal to the people of every era and every country.

    Tolstoy's ‘War and peace, is his masterpiece. It is considered the best novel ever written. It has been written in the background of Napoleon’s invasion of Russia and he took eight years to complete it. This novel provides an insight into the reaction and attitudes of the different classes of the Russian people to the invasion of Napoleon, together with philosophical and moral aspects of war. He has also written his biography in which he has described his philosophy of life. In his later days, he spent a solitary life.