Ilja Ehrenburg.

Name: Men, Years-life
Author: Ilja Ehrenburg

Илья Григорьевич Эренбург Илья Гиршевич Эренбург

Born 14 Jan 1891 Kyiv

Died 31 Aug 1967 Moscow, USSR

Citizenship Russia

6 min read

Reading time

1,120

Words

Aug 29, 2026

Published

Books

Awards

TL;DR

Soviet writer and journalist Ilja Ehrenburg wrote the 1927 film The Love of Jeanne Ney and contributed to Komunaris chibukhi 1929 and Dýmky 1966. Born in Kyiv in 1891, he received the State Stalin Prize and the Order of Lenin. He died of prostate and bladder cancer in Moscow in 1967.

Identity & family.

KIN · 2

Names, aliases, and relatives of Ilja Ehrenburg — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Илья Гиршевич Эренбург

Native Name Илья Григорьевич Эренбург

Aliases Ilya Ehrenbourg, Ilya Ehrenburg

Spouses: Ljuba Michailowna Kosinzewa
Children: Irina Erenburg

At a glance.

STATS

Ilja Ehrenburg by the numbers — life, work, and family.

76 Years lived

8 Books

15 Awards

1 Marriage

1 Child

Who was Ilja Ehrenburg?

BIOGRAPHY

Ilja Ehrenburg — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Ilja Ehrenburg moved from Kyiv to Moscow during childhood and attended the First Moscow gymnasium, one of the city’s oldest schools. The rigorous curriculum there shaped his later writing. He was born Илья Гиршевич Эренбург in Kyiv in 1891.

Career

Ilja Ehrenburg wrote the 1927 film The Love of Jeanne Ney, which brought him recognition. He also wrote for Komunaris chibukhi 1929 and Dýmky 1966. For his work, he received the State Stalin Prize, 1st degree, the Order of Lenin, the Lenin Peace Prize, and the Legion of Honour.

Personal life

Ilja Ehrenburg married Ljuba Michailowna Kosinzewa. His only child, Irina Erenburg, was born to Jekaterina Schmidt outside the marriage. Irina survived him after his death in 1967. He and his wife had no children together.

Legacy

The 1927 film The Love of Jeanne Ney remains Ilja Ehrenburg’s most notable work in film and literature. He was awarded the Lenin Peace Prize and the State Stalin Prize, 1st degree, reflecting his stature in Soviet culture. His films and writings are studied as part of early Soviet cinema and literature.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 13

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Ilja Ehrenburg — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Knight of the Legion of Honour
Order of Lenin
Order of the Red Banner of Labour
Order of the Red Star
Medal For the Defence of Moscow
Medal For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945
Medal For Valiant Labour in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945
State Stalin Prize, 1st degree
International Stalin Prize for Peace
Lenin Peace Prize
Medal In Commemoration of the 800th Anniversary of Moscow
Jubilee Medal Twenty Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945
Officer of the Legion of Honour

Bibliography.

BOOKS · 8

Ilja Ehrenburg's bibliography — every authored, edited, and co-written book, ranked by edition count.

Amazon

Men, Years-life

by Илья́ Григо́рьевич Эренбу́рг
Amazon

The Storm

by Илья́ Григо́рьевич Эренбу́рг
Amazon

Julio Jurenito

by Илья́ Григо́рьевич Эренбу́рг
Amazon

The Black Book

by Илья́ Григо́рьевич Эренбу́рг et al.
Amazon

The Stormy Life of Lasik Roitschwantz

by Илья́ Григо́рьевич Эренбу́рг
Amazon

The Ninth Wave

by Илья́ Григо́рьевич Эренбу́рг
Amazon

A Change of Season

by Илья́ Григо́рьевич Эренбу́рг
Amazon

Selections from People, Years, Life

by Илья́ Григо́рьевич Эренбу́рг

Did you know?

FACTS · 1

Little-known facts about Ilja Ehrenburg — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

His daughter Irina was born to Jekaterina Schmidt.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 30

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Ilja Ehrenburg.

On what date was Ilja Ehrenburg born?

Ilja Ehrenburg was born on 15 January 1891 in Kyiv. His birth name was Илья Гиршевич Эренбург.
Where was Ilja Ehrenburg born?

He was born in Kyiv, in the Kyiv Governorate of the Russian Empire, which is now the capital of Ukraine.
When did Ilja Ehrenburg die?

Ilja Ehrenburg died on 31 August 1967 in Moscow. He was 76 years old at the time of his death.
How old was Ilja Ehrenburg when he died?

Ilja Ehrenburg was 76 years old when he died. He was born in 1891 and died in 1967, making him 76 at his death in August 1967.
Where did Ilja Ehrenburg die?

He died in Moscow, which was then part of the RSFSR in the USSR. The city is now the capital of Russia.
How did Ilja Ehrenburg die?

Ilja Ehrenburg died from prostate and bladder cancer. He succumbed to the illness in Moscow on 31 August 1967.
What is Ilja Ehrenburg's real name?

His real name, or birth name, is Илья Гиршевич Эренбург. This is the Cyrillic version of his name. He is also known as Илья Григорьевич Эренбург in his native language.
What is Ilja Ehrenburg's name in his native language?

In Russian, his native language, his name is Илья Григорьевич Эренбург. This is his commonly used name in Russia.
What did Ilja Ehrenburg do for a living?

Ilja Ehrenburg was a writer. He worked as a novelist, journalist, and screenwriter, contributing to several films including The Love of Jeanne Ney 1927.
What nationality was Ilja Ehrenburg?

Ilja Ehrenburg was Russian. He held citizenship of Russia and later the Soviet Union.
What language did Ilja Ehrenburg speak?

Ilja Ehrenburg’s native language was Russian. He wrote and worked primarily in Russian.
Who was Ilja Ehrenburg married to?

Ilja Ehrenburg married Ljuba Michailowna Kosinzewa. She was his spouse, though little is known about her life.
Did Ilja Ehrenburg have children?

Yes, Ilja Ehrenburg had one child, a daughter named Irina Erenburg. She was born to Jekaterina Schmidt.
Where did Ilja Ehrenburg go to school?

Ilja Ehrenburg attended the First Moscow gymnasium, one of the oldest schools in Moscow. This education helped shape his literary career.
What awards did Ilja Ehrenburg win?

Ilja Ehrenburg won numerous awards, including the Order of Lenin, the State Stalin Prize twice, the Lenin Peace Prize, and the Legion of Honour. He also received several medals for his wartime service.
How many awards did Ilja Ehrenburg win?

Ilja Ehrenburg won 15 major awards, as documented. These include state prizes, orders, and medals for both literary and wartime achievements.
What are the aliases of Ilja Ehrenburg?

Ilja Ehrenburg was also known as Ilya Ehrenbourg and Ilya Ehrenburg. These alternative spellings were used in different contexts, particularly in international publications.
Which films is Ilja Ehrenburg known for?

Ilja Ehrenburg is known for his work on The Love of Jeanne Ney 1927, Komunaris chibukhi 1929, and Dýmky 1966. These films represent his contribution to cinema.
Did Ilja Ehrenburg win the Order of Lenin?

Yes, Ilja Ehrenburg won the Order of Lenin two times. It is one of the highest honors in the Soviet Union.
Did Ilja Ehrenburg win the State Stalin Prize?

Yes, he won the State Stalin Prize, 1st degree, two times. This prize recognized outstanding achievements in the arts and sciences.
Did Ilja Ehrenburg win the Lenin Peace Prize?

Yes, Ilja Ehrenburg won the Lenin Peace Prize. He also received the International Stalin Prize for Peace.
Was Ilja Ehrenburg a member of the Legion of Honour?

Yes, Ilja Ehrenburg held both the Knight and Officer ranks of the Legion of Honour, one of France’s highest orders.
What was Ilja Ehrenburg's gender?

Ilja Ehrenburg was male. His gender is listed as Male in biographical records.
What is the name of Ilja Ehrenburg's daughter?

His daughter’s name is Irina Erenburg. She was born to Jekaterina Schmidt, outside his marriage.
What medals did Ilja Ehrenburg receive for his war service?

For his service during the Great Patriotic War, Ilja Ehrenburg received the Medal For the Defence of Moscow, the Medal For the Victory over Germany, and the Medal For Valiant Labour.
Which was Ilja Ehrenburg's earliest known film?

Ilja Ehrenburg’s earliest known film is The Love of Jeanne Ney from 1927. He worked on it as a writer.
Did Ilja Ehrenburg win the International Stalin Prize for Peace?

Yes, Ilja Ehrenburg won the International Stalin Prize for Peace. This prize was later renamed the Lenin Peace Prize, which he also received.
How many times did Ilja Ehrenburg receive the Order of Lenin?

Ilja Ehrenburg received the Order of Lenin two times. It is one of his most notable awards.
Did Ilja Ehrenburg win the Order of the Red Banner of Labour?

Yes, he won the Order of the Red Banner of Labour, a Soviet award for meritorious service.
Did Ilja Ehrenburg win the Order of the Red Star?

Yes, he won the Order of the Red Star, another Soviet military decoration.

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Audited & updated by

Sophia has 4 years of editorial experience and a habit of becoming the person any team leans on when they need to know where something stands. At Famousy, she manages the content pipeline, coordinates reviews, and handles the detail work that keeps a large editorial operation from falling apart. She reads a lot of profiles in the process and she's developed a sharp instinct for when something doesn't feel right. She flags it. It usually is.

Published on August 29, 2026

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