Count Leo Tolstoy (1828 1910) was born in central Russia. After serving in the Crimean War, he retired to his estate and devoted himself to writing, farming, and raising his large family. His novels and outspoken social polemics brought him world fame. Aylmer Maude(1858 1938) andLouise Maude(1855 1939) were English translators ofTolstoy'sworks, and Aylmer Maude also wrote his friend Tolstoy's biography. After living many years in Russia the Maudes spent the rest of their life in England translating Tolstoy's writing and promoting public interest in his work."