Count Leo Tolstoy was Russia's premier writer and social theologian of the 19th century. His epic novels include War and Peace (1863-69) and Anna Karenina (1874-76), although he wrote short stories, poetry and plays. By throwing his support to the opponents of the Czar in 1905, the influential Tolstoy strengthened the opponents' hand significantly and helped to force the Czar to make concessions.