Taras Shevchenko, Ukrainian poet and playwright (died 1861)

Taras Hryhorovych Shevchenko was a Ukrainian poet, writer, artist, public and political figure, folklorist, and ethnographer. He was a fellow of the Imperial Academy of Arts and a member of the Brotherhood of Saints Cyril and Methodius. He wrote poetry in Ukrainian and prose in Russian, making him one of many iconic figures which belong to several Slavic language cultures.

March 9 is the 68th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 297 days remain until the end of the year.