Background
In 1818 a scandal involving her father occurred, and Ishimova left Saint St. Petersburg together with her family to live in the northern provinces.
In 1818 a scandal involving her father occurred, and Ishimova left Saint St. Petersburg together with her family to live in the northern provinces.
After childhood in her birthplace of Kostroma, Aleksandra Ishimova studied in private boarding schools in Saint St. Petersburg.
In 1825 it was possible to return to Saint St. Petersburg, and to receive from Tsar Alexander I a pardon for her father. Ishimova was the last correspondent of Pushkin: he wrote her a letter with an enthusiastic response to her historical stories, and sent a book for translation the day of his duel with Georges-Charles de Heeckeren d"Anthèson Ishimova published two monthly journals: Little Star («Звездочка», 1842—1863) for children, and Rays of Light («Лучи», 1850—1860) for young ladies.
Aside from this she translated and printed a number of novel narratives for children, many included religious and moral education.
The best known among them were «Рассказы старушки» (Saint St. Petersburg, 1839). «Священная истории в разговорах для маленьких детей», passing six editions beginning in 1841.
«Колокольчик», (Saint St. Petersburg, 1849) for children in orphanages. «Первое чтение и первые уроки для детей» (Saint St. Petersburg, 1856—1860.
Two editions); and «Рассказы из Священной истории для крестьянских детей» (Saint St. Petersburg, 1878).
She died at age 76 in Saint St. Petersburg.