| Viktor Bilibin | |
| Birthname: | Виктор Викторович Билибин |
| Birth Date: | 2 February 1859 |
| Birth Place: | Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire |
| Death Place: | Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire |
| Occupation: | journalist, playwright, humourist, editor |
Viktor Viktorovich Bilibin (ru|Виктор Викторович Билибин, 2 February 1859, Saint Petersburg, Imperial Russia, — 25 June 1908, Saint Petersburg) was a Russian writer and playwright, one of the leading Russian humourists and satirists of the late 19th century, who used the pen name I. Grek (И. Грэк). His best-known stories were collected in the books Love and Laughter (Любовь и смех, 1882), Humour and Fantasy (Юмор и фантазия, 1897) and Humorous Patterns (Юмористические узоры, 1898).[1] After Nikolai Leykin's death he became the editor-in-chief of Oskolki (1906—1908).
Bilibin was a friend of Anton Chekhov, whom he corresponded with for 15 years (since 1885). The two co-authored at least one humorous sketch "Motley Fairytales" (Пёстрые сказки, Novaya Gazeta, 1886), signed The Two Ajaxes (Два Аякса). Chekhov admired Bilibin's sketches, referred to him as 'great talent'[2] and cited him as an early influence.[1]
Bilibin authored several humorous plays; they were produced by Alexandrinsky Theatre, as well as numerous provincial troupes, but failed to impress the critics. Alexander Amfiteatrov commented: "This man had been created for subtle, intelligent irony but in the long run chose to serve the primitive, guttural laughter. And he lost his gift of a humorist."[3] [4]