Vladimir Nabokov was a Russian novelist, poet, and translator, renowned for his mastery of language and intricate narrative style. Born in 1899 in St. Petersburg, Russia, Nabokov was a polyglot and published works in both Russian and English. He and his family moved to the United States in 1940, becoming citizens in 1945. He is best known for his controversial and celebrated novel Lolita (1955), which explores themes of obsession, desire and morality through the story of a middle-aged man’s infatuation with a young girl. Nabokov's work is characterized by its linguistic precision, complex plots and deep engagement with memory and perception. In addition to Lolita, his notable works include Pnin, Pale Fire, and Speak, Memory, his memoir. Throughout his life he also acted as an educator, teaching creative writing at Stanford, lecturing at Wellesley College, and acting as a Professor of Russian and European Literature at Cornell. Learn more.