Anton Chekhov (1860-1904) was a Russian dramatist and author known for his haunting and masterful short stories; he is regarded as a seminal figure in the 19th Century realist school. His earliest writings, published in newspapers and journals, were largely comic in tone; as he matured as a writer his work turned to more serious themes. The Seagull (1895) and Uncle Vanya (1898), are among his best-known plays, yet his short stories have been more recently recognized as his prime literary triumph.

The Seagull (1895) is one of the most important dramatic works of literature ever written. With its extraordinary expression of subtext, and penetrating exploration of friendship and selfishness, this story of the conflicts, love and insecurities of four creative individuals is an essential work of dramatic literature.