In this he was upheld by I.I.Dmitrieff, who was looked upon as his successor.

But after Derzhavin heard Pushkin read his verses, at the examination in the Tzarskoe Selo Lyceum (1815), he frankly admitted that the lad had already excelled all living writers of Russia; and he predicted that this school-boy would become the new and brilliant star.
Despite the burdens of his official life, Derzhavin wrote a great deal; towards the end of his life, much dramatic matter; yet he really belongs to the ranks of the lyric poets.

He deserved all the fame he enjoyed, because he was the first poet who was so by inspiration, not merely by profession or ambition.

Even in his most insignificant works of the stereotyped sort, with much sound and very little thought and feeling, the hand of a master is visible, and talent is perceptible; while many passages are remarkable for their poetic figures, melody of versification, and beauty and force of expression.

No poet previous to Pushkin can be compared to him for talent, and for direct, independent inspiration.