An Oxford don, TJ Binyon, has been awarded the lucrative Samuel Johnson prize for his biography of the Russian poet Alexander Pushkin.
Dr Binyon, 63, was given the £30,000 award for his "gripping and intimate account" of the 19th-century writer, who was killed in a duel.
A Fellow of Wadham College, he beat five other shortlisted authors to win the literary world's biggest non-fiction prize.
Dr Binyon said: "I still haven't coped with the idea that I've won, let alone thought about what I'm going to do with the money."
A myth about Pushkin's life has been built up in his home country, Mr Binyon said.
"He had a short life, a colourful, vivid life and he lived in stirring times," he said.
The winner was announced at a ceremony at London's Savoy Hotel.
Presenting the award, MP Michael Portillo, who sat on the judging panel, said: "TJ Binyon's biography of Pushkin is the product of the author's years of dedication.
"While Pushkin does not translate well into English, Binyon has undertaken a massive task to reveal his genius to us and has written a gripping and intimate account."
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