"Creatures that Once Were Men" is a short story by Maxim Gorky about the residents of a lodging house who start a conflict with their landlord, resulting in a rather inhumane outcome. Gorky is arguably one of the most celebrated literary characters of the 20th century. Painting a vivid image of the dark, grueling and cruel peasant life of 20th century Russia, "Creatures that One Were Men" is a daunting and comical commentary on social injustice that has touched people across the world. Maxim Gorky (1868-1936) has its place among the most talented and original Russian modern writers. A five-time Nobel Prize nominee, Gorky’s position in Russian literature is undisputable. He led a turbulent life of an exile, a dissenter, and a Bolshevik associate, which severely marked his literary endeavours. A strong supporter of Russia’s political, social, and cultural transformation, Gorky’s name still echoes in the annals of history. His best-known works include "The Lower Depths", "My Childhood,", "Mother", and "Children of the Sun".