Osip Dymov

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Ossip Dimov (Russian: Осип Дымов) is the central fictional character in the classic story Grasshopper (1892) by Anton Chekov.For generations it has served to inspire medical professionals as to the standards of dedication expected from them.

In the story, Ossip Dimov is a small time unassuming medical doctor who marries a beautiful wealthy socialite. Her reasons for getting attracted to him are suspect, and soon the marriage is on the rocks because of her preference for the fast life and his total dedication to his profession. She soon forms liaisons which he senses, but to which he displays an admirable magnanimity.

She soon gets tired of her companions when she learns of their vacuous nature and realises how great her husband was, whom she took for granted. She tries desperately to return to him but by that time it is too late - in order to save a diphtheria patient, Dimov had swallowed membrane from his throat and died.