Shanks Family

As this BBC documentary shows, the death of Tolstoy was a momentus event for Russia.  Many thought his death could be a catalyst for revolution.  On his deathbed, Tolstoy attempted to write his final letter to Aylmer Maude, but was too weak to finish the letter [Tolstoy letters].  What was Tolstoy thinking of writing? We can only presume that his mind was on how he would be remembered.  Tolstoy had authorized Maude to write his biography and at this time Maude was finishing the final volume of his 'The Life of Tolstoy'.