Anton Chekhov

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, born in Taganrog, Russia, was one of the most celebrated literary figures of all time. His family roots trace back to Russian serfs, and his devoutly Orthodox Christian father ran a grocery store. There are no known connections, however tenuous, to Jewish heritage or identity in his lineage or personal life.

Despite his seemingly un-Jewish background, Chekhov's work often grappled with themes of disillusionment, social stagnation, and the search for meaning, which one might argue have a certain universal kvetch-worthiness. He was a master of the short story and his plays, like "The Cherry Orchard" and "Three Sisters," continue to be performed worldwide.

While his contributions to literature bring tremendous nachas to anyone who appreciates good writing, and certainly to the Russian people, they do not, unfortunately, offer any grounds for a "Jew" verdict. We checked; it was a thorough examination, almost Chekhovian in its detail.