Ivan Alexandrovich Goncharov (June 18 [O.S. June 6], 1812 – September 27 [O.S. September 15], 1891) is a Russian novelist best known for his novels A Common Story (1847), Oblomov (1859), and The Precipice (1869).
He also serves in many official capacities, including the position of censor.
Goncharov was born in Simbirsk into the family of a wealthy merchant; as a reward for his grandfather's military service, they were elevated to gentry status.
He is educated at a boarding school, then the Moscow College of Commerce, and finally at Moscow State University.
After graduating, he serves or a short time in the office of the Governor of Simbirsk, before moving to Saint Petersburg where he works as government translator and private tutor, while publishing poetry and fiction in private almanacs.
Goncharov's first novel, A Common Story, is published in Sovremennik in 1847.
Goncharov's second and best-known novel Oblomov is published in 1859 in Otechestvennye zapiski.
His third and final novel The Precipice is published in Vestnik Evropy in 1869.
He also works as a literary and theater critic.
Towards the end of his life Goncharov writes a memoir called An Uncommon Story, in which he accuses his literary rivals, first and foremost Ivan Turgenev, of having plagiarized his works and prevented him from achieving European fame.
The memoir will be published in 1924.
Fyodor Dostoyevsky, among others, considers Goncharov an author of high stature.
Anton Chekhov is quoted as stating that Goncharov was "...ten heads above me in talent."
