COUNT LEO TOLSTOY (1828-1910) Gandhi was inspired by the Russian author and moralist Leo Tolstoy, and the two exchanged letters expressing deep mutual admiration. Both shared core ideas of non-violence, identified with the poor and down-trodden, and committed to transforming their lives accordingly. GandhiÕs ideals of civil disobedience guided by the voice of conscience, together with a life of material simplicity, as practised at Tolstoy Farm, were akin to those taught by Tolstoy.