Anna Petrovna Bunina was the first Russian poetess to became quite famous. Called by many a Russian Sappho (partly because of her love of antique poetry) she created verses both in genres of philosophical meditations and anthems, as well as heart-felt and intimate lyrics.

Anna Petrovna Bunina was born on January 7, 1774 in the Urusov Village of the Ryazhsk District of the Ryazan Province. She belonged to an old noble family, which later gave birth to the famous Ivan Bunin. Her mother died when the future poetess was only 14 months old. The orphaned girl was brought up by her aunts, and then by her elder sister.

According to biographers, her first poetic experiences started at the age of thirteen. Later during her trips to Moscow she got acquainted with local writers, and in 1802, despite resistance of her natives, she settled down in Petersburg and became strenuously engaged in self-education, studying the English, French and German languages, physics, mathematics and Russian literature. Bunina spent her entire modest fortune on teachers and till the end of her days was in great need.

From 1806 her works started to appear in magazines. In 1815 the poetess fell dangerously ill with breast cancer. In July she went to England to undergo treatment. In 1817 Bunina returned to Russia. Her illness continued to progress, and all the methods of treatment proved to be useless. On December 4, 1829, Bunina died in Denisovka village of the Ryazan province.