Alexander Radishchev was an influential Russian writer and social critic born in 1749. He is best known for his book, Journey from St. Petersburg to Moscow, published in 1790, which criticized the social injustices and oppressive conditions of serfdom in Russia. His work was groundbreaking for its time, as it openly addressed issues of inequality and the need for reform. Radishchev's writings led to his arrest and exile by Catherine the Great, who viewed his ideas as a threat to the established order. Despite his struggles, he is remembered as a pioneer of Russian literature and a precursor to later reformist movements in the country.