Anton Chekhov (1860-1904) was a physician and writer of short stories and plays. Peter Carson learned Russian during his time in the Navy and at home from his mother. He has worked for many years in publishing in London. Richard Gilman is professor emeritus of playwriting and dramatic literature at Yale University's School of Drama. He has been drama critic for "Newsweek," "Commonweal," and "The Nation," and is the author of "Chekhov's Plays" and "The Making of Modern Drama,"