Anna Akhmatova was a Russian poet and essayist who is considered one of the most acclaimed writers in the Russian language. She was born ANNA Andreyevna Gorenko in 1889 and is best known for her lyrical poetry that often dealt with themes of love, loss, and suffering. Her works have been translated into many languages and she has been honored with numerous awards and accolades. Akhmatova's legacy continues to be celebrated today, and her work is still widely read and studied.