biographies
Biographies and autobiographies of key historical figures and thinkers, and ordinary people who have tried to change the world.
Gorelik, Grigorii aka Anatolii, 1890-1956
A short biography of Grigorii Gorelik, Ukrainian anarchist participant in the Russian Revolution.
Grigorii Gorelik, usually known as Anatolii Gorelik, was born into a large Jewish family, the poorest in their village, on February 28th 1890. This was at Guenichesk, a little port in the Ukrainian province of Tavrivchesk. He started work at the age of 10 , working selling food.He became an anarchist in 1904, at the age of fourteen.
Yarchuk, Efim, 1882 or 1886-1937
A short biography of Efim Yarchuk, who played an important role in the rebellious town of Kronstadt.
Yarchuk, Efim Zakharovich aka Khaim Zakharev - Also rendered as Yarchook, Yartchuk, Iarchuk etc.
“a man who enjoyed exceptional influence among the sailors and workers and whose idealism and devotion are matters of historic record” - My Disillusionment in Russia. Emma Goldman
Berner, Rudolf, 1907-1977
A short biography of Swedish anarchist Rudolf Berner, active in Spain and in underground work in Nazi Germany.
Berner, Rudolf (Rube) AKA Frank Tireur
Born on 14 July 1907 in Skövde (West Sweden), Rudolf Berner grew up in a small farmer and working-class family of many children. He attended school and learned painting and crafts.
Timmermann, Claus, 1866-1941
A short biography of German-American anarchist Claus Timmermann, indefatigable editor and loyal supporter of Goldman and Berkman
“An ardent German anarchist…He had considerable poetic talent and wrote forceful propaganda…He was a likeable fellow and entirely trustworthy, though a considerable drinker”. - Living My Life. Emma Goldman
Estorach, Soledad
A short biography of Soledad Estorach, one of the most dynamic founders and activists of Mujeres Libres.
Soledad Estorach Esteri was born on the 6th February 1915 at the small village of Albatarrech near Lerida.
Silva Cruz, Maria, 1915-1936
A short biography of the iconic figure of Maria Silva Cruz, "La Libertaria," heroine of the Casas Viejas uprising, murdered by the Francoists.
Maria was born into a family of day labourers and charcoal burners in the impoverished village of Casas Viejas in Andalucia on 20 April 1915.
Her father Juan Silva Gonzalez and her uncle Jeronimo were in the CNT. Her grandmother read anarchist novels out loud to her as a young girl.
Jahn, Octave aka Octavio 1869-1917
A short biography of French anarchist Octave Jahn, active in France, Belgium and Switzerland and a participant in the Mexican Revolution.
“A fervent propagandist of libertarian communism” - Max Nettlau
“A prototype even of the young anarchist of the heroic period of the movement” - Gaetano Manfredonia
Octave Jahn was born on 10 February 1869 in Cherbourg, France.
Eisenhauer, Theodor, 1850s/1860s?-1882
A short biography of Theodor Eisenhauer, a pioneer of the anarchist movement in Germany.
Theodor Franz Eisenhauer was born in Luckau, in Brandenburg state in Germany. He was an upholsterer by trade.
He was one of the most committed and dedicated activists of the early German anarchist movement. He was a supporter of Johann Most and was associated with Peter Kropotkin in Switzerland in 1879.
Pfemfert, Franz aka Und Gaday 1879-1954
A short biography of Franz Pfemfert, revolutionary, publisher, editor of Die Aktion
Franz Pfemfert was born in the east Prussian town of Loetzen (today called Gizycko in Poland) on 20 November 1879. Soon after his birth his family moved to Berlin and Franz attended Joachimsthal High school.
Texidor, Greville, 1902- 1964 and Werner Droescher 1911-1978
Short biographies of Greville Texidor and Werner Droescher who both fought with the Spanish anarchist militias.
Greville Texidor was born in 1902 at Wolverhampton, the daughter of William Arthur Foster and Editha Greville Prideaux. Her father, a barrister, committed suicide in 1920 due to a scandal. Her mother was an artist who had originally moved from Auckland in New Zealand to study art in London in 1895.
