Sophia Tolstaya never got a lot of fame or credit for all her accomplishments, in fact, she is generally reviled as famous Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy's b*tchy wife, but she was a brilliant talent and bright businesswoman herself. In fact, without her, Leo's work likely would never have been circulated so widely and successfully, nor would Leo have even been able to write such brilliant books - his characters draw inspiration from her, and her feedback deeply shaped the books and the mind of the man holding the pen.

In this episode we look behind those historic rumors to find a dirty smear campaign waged against Sophia towards the end of Leo's life, after his passing, and even beyond her death for another century. This episode is a fascinating (and heartbreaking) look at the building of a genius, and the destruction left behind in his wake at the expense of the woman who made him who he was.

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A Broad is a woman who lives by her own rules. Broads You Should Know is the podcast about the Broads who helped shape our world!

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Broads You Should Know is hosted by Sara Gorsky.

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Broads You Should Know is produced by Sara Gorsky & edited by Chloe Skye