This day in Russian history and the History of the world.

October 3

October 3, 1895: Sergei Aleksandrovich Yesenin, Russian lyrical poet was born. He was one of the most popular and well-known Russian poets of the 20th century. Although he was one of Russia's most popular poets and had been given an elaborate funeral by the State, most of his writings were banned by the Kremlin during the reigns of Joseph Stalin and Nikita Khrushchev.

Nikolay Bukharin's criticism of Esenin contributed significantly to the banning.

Only in 1966 were most of his works were republished. Sergei Yesenin's poems are taught to Russian schoolchildren and many have been set to music, recorded as popular songs.

The early death, unsympathetic views by some of the literary elite, adoration by ordinary people, and sensational behaviour, all contributed to the enduring and near mythical popular image of the Russian poet.

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