Tolstoy
Tolstoy and Louise Shanks
Louise Maude (nee Shanks) was the first person to translate Tolstoy's novels from Russian direct into English.
Tolstoy and Aylmer
The death of Tolstoy was a momentous 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'
Mary and Tolstoy
Mary Shanks is behind Tolstoy in this photograph dated to January 31, 1910. The event was reported in the newspaper. Photo VP Savelyev
The opening of the National Library reading rooms in Yasnaya Polyana
"Leo Tolstoy Through the Eyes of His Contemporaries 1910. 'Russian Word' 'Celebration in Yasnaya Polyana' (From our special correspondent)
Countess Sofya Andreyevna has left. Of the guests at the estate, besides Prince Dolgorukov and P. I. Biryukov, there is the Englishwoman Mrs. Shanks (2), a devoted follower and preacher of the religious and moral ideas of Lev Nikolayevich, which she is said to have already put into practice by organizing a Tolstoyan community, or colony, in her homeland. By two o'clock, the library was put in order: the floor was cleaned, and a shelf was nailed up.
(2) Maria Yakovlevna Shanks (1866-?), an English artist and propagandist of Tolstoy's ideas."
