Ernst Radlov

Ernst Radlov

Russian historian of philosophy, translator
Date of Birth: 20.11.1854
Country: Russia

Content:
  1. Early Life and Education
  2. Career in Philosophy
  3. Influence of Solovyov
  4. Contributions to History of Philosophy
  5. Later Years and Legacy

Early Life and Education

Ernest Radlov, a prominent Russian historian of philosophy and translator, was born on November 20, 1854, in Saint Petersburg. He completed his studies at the Historical and Philological Faculty of Saint Petersburg University before continuing his education in Berlin and Leipzig.

Career in Philosophy

Radlov spent many years as the head of the philosophical department at the Saint Petersburg Public Library, where he also served as director from 1917 to 1924. Alongside Vladimir Solovyov, he edited the philosophical section of Brockhaus and Efron's Encyclopedic Dictionary, contributing over 100 articles on the history of philosophy. Notably, he was the chief editor of the Philosophical Dictionary published in 1904.

From 1921 to 1922, Radlov chaired the philosophical society at Петроград University. He played a significant role in translating philosophical works into Russian, including Aristotle's "Ethics" (1887). Under his editorial guidance, Hegel's "Phenomenology of Spirit" was published, along with works by Fichte, Malebranche, and others.

Radlov also taught philosophy at the School of Law and the Higher Women's Courses. In 1920, he was elected a corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences.

Influence of Solovyov

Vladimir Solovyov's philosophical ideas had a profound impact on Radlov, with whom he maintained a close friendship for many years. Several of Radlov's works were dedicated to Solovyov, including "Solovyov's Teaching on Freedom of Will" (1911) and "Vladimir Solovyov: Life and Teaching" (1913).

Contributions to History of Philosophy

Radlov made significant contributions to the history of ancient philosophy. He believed that Russian philosophy primarily developed within universities, particularly in the latter half of the 19th century, through the works of figures such as Kudryavtsev-Platonov, Karinsky, and Solovyov. In his "Outline of the History of Russian Philosophy" (1912), Radlov argued that Russian thought has consistently exhibited a fascination with ethics and mysticism.

Later Years and Legacy

Radlov passed away in Leningrad on December 28, 1928. His legacy as a historian of philosophy and translator continues to be influential in the study of Russian and European intellectual thought.

© BIOGRAPHS