Symeon of Polotsk or Symeon Polotsky (born Samuel Piotrowski-Sitnianowicz, Russian: ?????´? ??´??????; ?????´? ?????´?????-??????????; December 12, 1629 – August 25, 1680) was an academically-trained Baroque Belarusian-born Russian poet, dramatist, churchman, and enlightener who laid the groundwork for the development of modern Russian literature.