Leo Tolstoy had a profound influence on people through out the Western world. Leo Tolstoy was a Russian novelist, essayist, dramatist and philosopher. Tolstoy was a member of the aristocratic Tolstoy family. He was known as an educational reformer, pacifist and Christian anarchist. His masterpiece War and Peace made him one of the world s greatest novelists. His ability to depict life in 19th century Russia made him a leader in realist fiction. Tolstoy s stand on nonviolent resistance influenced twentieth century people such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Ghandi. As a moral philosopher Tolstoy was notable for his ideas on nonviolent resistance through works such as The Kingdom of God is Within You (1894). The Live Corpse is a drama in six acts. A husband finds out his wife was in love with another man before their marriage. She cannot admit this fact even to herself. Since divorce is not an option he fakes his suicide with the intention of helping his wife be with the one she truly loves."