Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-1881) was a Russian novelist, short-story writer, and essayist. His work probed profound depths of human nature, with an indomitable insight into man's relationship with society, religion, and philosophical inquiry. Dostoevsky's first novel, Poor Folks (1846) immediately established his literary reputation. In 1849 he was arrested for his subversive political activities and spent eight months in imprisonment and four years in a labor camp. These experiences were the foundation for many of his works, including his masterpiece, Crime and Punishment(1866) His work and ideas had an enormous influence on 20th Century literature, psychological theory, and literary criticism.