Vladimir Nabokov, born on April 22, 1899, in Saint Petersburg, Russia, was a Russian-American novelist, poet, translator, and lepidopterist who left an indelible imprint on 20th-century literature. He passed away on July 2, 1977, in Montreux, Switzerland, but his multifaceted works continue to be celebrated, dissected, and sometimes reviled.

Coming from an affluent, aristocratic family, Nabokov had access to excellent education and a life of privilege. However, the Russian Revolution of 1917 forced his family into exile. Nabokov studied at Cambridge University before moving to Berlin, where he gained prominence as a writer among Russian émigrés.

His early works were predominantly in Russian, but Nabokov transitioned to English in the 1940s, achieving international acclaim with "Lolita" in 1955. The novel, often a subject of controversy due to its themes, is also lauded as a masterpiece of style, wit, and narrative structure. Beyond "Lolita," Nabokov penned other notable works such as "Pale Fire" and "Pnin," each filled with intricate details, playful language, and complex characters.

Nabokov was not merely a writer but also a scholar and a lepidopterist. His academic pursuits included a stint teaching literature at Cornell University, and his butterfly studies led to several scientific papers. He even had a butterfly genus named in his honor: Nabokovia.

His literary works often delved into themes of exile, identity, and the intricacies of memory. The blend of intellectual rigor and emotional depth in his writings has made him a subject of extensive academic study. Nabokov had a knack for bending genres, pushing the boundaries of what was considered conventional storytelling. His influence can be seen in a variety of disciplines, from literature and drama to philosophy and cultural studies.

One lesser-known yet intriguing aspect of Nabokov's life was his synesthesia, a condition where the senses are cross-wired, allowing him to see letters in colors. This deeply influenced his writing style, adding another layer of complexity to his already intricate works. Another interesting fact is that Nabokov was a polyglot; he was fluent in Russian, English, and French. Moreover, he had an intense dislike for Freudian psychoanalysis, often criticizing it in his works and interviews.