biographies
Biographies and autobiographies of key historical figures and thinkers, and ordinary people who have tried to change the world.
Ridge, Lola: anarchist and poet
A brief biography of Lola Ridge, New Zealand anarchist and poet by Mark Derby.
Her published collections of poetry included defending Tom Mooney, Sacco & Vanzetti, and recalling the death of Frank Little.
Ivanyuk (?-1921)
A short biography of Ivanyuk, independent-minded Makhnovist commander, who died in the last major battle of the movement.
On 26 August we fought another battle…in which we lost our dearest fighters and comrades, Petrenko-Platonov and Ivanyuk”. Nestor Makhno, quoted in the History of the Makhnovist Movement, Piotr Arshinov.
Pravda, Simeon (Batko Pravda), 1877-1921
A short biography of Simeon Pravda, one of the most colourful of the Makhnovist commanders
Simeon Pravda was born into a family of farm-hands in Lyubimovka near Alexandrovsk. He became an anarchist-communist from 1904, and took part in armed actions against the Tsarist regime. He worked on the railway as a coupler at Gaychur station in 1905,and it was there that he was involved in an accident that led to the loss of both his legs.
Zhivoder, c.1883-1920
A short biography of Zhivoder, a revolutionary sailor who moved from Bolshevism to anarchism.
From Bolshevism to Makhnovism
Zheleznyakov, Nikolai Grigorievich (1893-1918/1919)
A short biography of Nikolai, the far less known brother of the anarchist Anatoli Zheleznyakov.
The other Zheleznyakov
Brova, Mikhail or Brava aka Batko Brova, ?-1921
A short biography of Mikhail Brova, Makhnovist commander, anarchist communist and associate of Maslakov
Mikhail Brova was born into a peasant family in the village of Novogrigorevka, in the Ekaterinoslav province of the Ukraine. From early childhood, he worked as a mechanic–locksmith at the station at Avdeevka Yuzovsky.
Lamanov, Anatoli Nikolaevich 1889-1921
A short biography of Anatoli Lamanov, the voice and ideologist of the Kronstadt Revolt
Anatoli Lamanov was born on July 3rd 1889. His father was Lieutenant Colonel Nikolai P.
Budanov, Avraam, 1886?-1928/9?
A short biography of Avraam Budanov, who fought with the Makhnovists and continued an underground struggle after the defeat of the movement
Avraam Budanov was born into a peasant family in Slavyanoserbsk in Ekaterinoslav province. It appears that he came from the Bulgarian national minority in the Ukraine. From childhood he worked as a fitter in Lugansk. He became an anarchist-communist in 1905, and took part in revolutionary activities in the Donbas basin between1905-1907.
Vdovichenko, Trofim Yakovlevich, 1889-1921
A short biography of Trofim Vdovichenko, gifted guerilla commander and one of the most heroic figures of the Makhnovist movement
Trofim Vdovichenko was born into a family of poor peasants in Novospasovka in the Ukraine. He received a primary education. From 1910 he was a member of the Novospasovka group of anarchist-communists, alongside Viktor Belash ,Vassily Kurilenko, Luca Bondarets, Filipp Goncharenko, Vladimir Protsenko and Fomenko who also all had leading roles in the Makhnovist movement later on.
Kogan, David aka Lev Rubin,Lev, Christ, Little Christ, David Samara (1893-1923?)
A short biography of David Kogan, devoted Russian anarchist and escaper extraordinaire.
“Comrade David Kogan (Lev Rubin), an attractive personality, a man of high
integrity and renown as a revolutionary Anarchist,” The Guillotine at Work, Grigori Maximov
