Leo Tolstoy, born Count Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy, was a towering figure in the world of literature. Esteemed as one of the greatest and most influential authors of all time, Tolstoy's contributions to literature remain unparalleled. His literary journey began in his twenties, gaining early acclaim with his semi-autobiographical trilogy, Childhood, Boyhood, and Youth (1852–1856), and the Sevastopol Sketches (1855), which drew from his experiences in the Crimean War. His masterpieces, the novels War and Peace (1869) and Anna Karenina (1878), are often cited as the pinnacle of realist fiction, compelling narratives that capture the essence of human experience.

Throughout his career, Tolstoy penned numerous short stories, novellas, plays, and essays, delving into philosophical, moral, and religious themes. Notable works include The Death of Ivan Ilyich (1886), Family Happiness (1859), and Hadji Murad (1912). In the 1870s, he experienced a profound moral crisis, followed by a spiritual awakening, leading to his literal interpretation of the ethical teachings of Jesus. This pivot towards a spiritual and moral reformation manifested in his works, most notably in Confession (1882) and The Kingdom of God Is Within You (1894), marking him as a fervent Christian anarchist and pacifist.

Tolstoy's ideas on nonviolent resistance profoundly influenced pivotal figures of the 20th century, including Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Ludwig Wittgenstein. Despite his significant impact and numerous nominations for the Nobel Prize in Literature and the Nobel Peace Prize, Tolstoy never received the accolade, which remains a major Nobel Prize controversy. His legacy, however, extends beyond awards, celebrated by authors and critics alike, with Virginia Woolf naming him "the greatest of all novelists" and Gary Saul Morson lauding War and Peace as the greatest novel.