Today, few people remember who Nikolai Afanasyevich Goncharov is. But he is the father of Natalia Nikolaevna Goncharova, the one who won the heart of the great Russian poet Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin. Alas, a severe shock happened in the life of this man, which subsequently destroyed his consciousness and destiny.
Young years
Goncharov Nikolai Afanasyevich was born in St. Petersburg in 1787. His family lived in the Linen estate, which was located next to the shipbuilding plant. The thing is that this plant was founded by the great-grandfather of Nikolai Afanasyevich, specifically for the construction of the fleet of Peter I. It is not surprising that the Goncharov family lived in abundance and could afford to give their son a quality education.
In addition, the boy had a phenomenal intellect, thanks to which he quickly mastered all the educational material. So, by his coming of age, he thoroughly knew four languages: French, German, English and Russian. He was no less gifted in the art of music.
Goncharov Nikolai: the image of a young man
Contemporaries described Goncharov as a very pleasant young man. He was educated, could support any conversation, and was also popular with the ladies. In addition, he constantly improved himself. His personal library consisted of more than one hundred books, some of which were quite rare.
Besides this, Nikolai Goncharov often arranged small concerts at his home. Most of all he liked to play the violin. He also wrote poems, which he recited to those around him at moments of special inspiration.
Goncharov Nikolai Afanasyevich and Natalia Zagryazhskaya
On January 27, 1807, the wedding of Nikolai Goncharov and Natalya Zagryazhskaya took place in the Winter Palace of St. Petersburg. This union was concluded out of love, since the romantic soul of the young man could not accept a different alignment of fate. The next few years will be the happiest for this man: he will get a new job, achieve respect and recognition, and also be able to enjoy the delights of married life.
In general, the marriage will bring six children to the Goncharov family. The most famous child in their dynasty will be Natalya Nikolaevna. It is she who will be engaged to A. S. Pushkin, and subsequently marry General Pyotr Lansky.
Goncharov's disease
In the period from 1811 to 1814, Nikolai Afanasyevich manages his father's affairs, as long as he carries out a special order of the sovereign at the border. But upon returning home, the elder Goncharov excommunicates his son fromfamily affairs, despite the fact that he managed to achieve great success in this. This became a trigger - the young gentleman began to constantly look for comfort in wine in order to drown out the resentment against his father. And one day, being very drunk, he falls from the horse headfirst.
Physically Goncharov Nikolai was not injured, but his mind was clouded. Periods of melancholy gave way to bouts of ardent aggression towards others. So, under the influence of anger, he almost stabbed his daughter Natalya, who miraculously escaped by locking herself in the room.
Over the years, the disease has only progressed. Because of this, friends, relatives and even his own wife turned away from him one after another. Therefore, in September 1861, Goncharov Nikolai Afanasyevich died all alone in his old house in Moscow. According to the records, in the end, his only friend was only an old servant who, either out of loy alty or out of desperation, did not dare to leave him.
