Iuda Grossman Russian (later Ukrainian) anarchist revolutionary, publicist Date of Birth: 07.02.1883

1. Early Life and Political Activism
2. Anarchist Beliefs and Exile
3. Leadership of the "Black Banners"
4. Return to Anarchism and Syndicalism
5. Abandonment of Anarchism and Literary Career
6. Later Life and Legacy

Early Life and Political Activism

Lev Grigorievich Grossmann was born on March 17, 1884, into a Jewish merchant family in Yelisavetgrad, Russian Empire. From a young age, he became involved in revolutionary politics, joining the Yelisavetgrad Social Democratic Circle in 1897.

Anarchist Beliefs and Exile

Grossmann embraced anarchism in 1902 following his involvement with the anarchist group "Bread and Freedom" in Geneva. He became a proponent of terrorism and expropriation as tactics for social change. In 1905, he participated in the Russian Revolution and joined the "Bread and Freedom" group in Bialystok.

Leadership of the "Black Banners"

In 1907, Grossmann became the leader of the Kiev anarchist group known as the "Black Banners." This group, which included the future Soviet secret police chief Georgy Prokofyev, carried out numerous terrorist attacks. Grossmann's involvement led to his arrest and imprisonment in the Lukyanovskaya Prison.

Return to Anarchism and Syndicalism

After escaping prison, Grossmann fled abroad and adopted the principles of anarcho-syndicalism. He advocated for the unification of Russian anarchist groups into a single organization. In 1919, he joined the staff of Nestor Makhno's Revolutionary Insurrectionary Army of Ukraine.

Abandonment of Anarchism and Literary Career

In the early 1920s, Grossmann gradually abandoned his anarchist beliefs and transitioned to a career in literature and criticism. He joined the Russian Association of Proletarian Writers (RAPP) and published numerous articles on the creative method of proletarian literature. His writings emphasized the ideological content of works of art.

Later Life and Legacy

Grossmann's later life was marked by his unwavering support for Stalinism. He published several books, including his memoirs, "Reflections on the Past" (1924), and essays on art and literature. Grossmann died in Moscow on August 24, 1940. Despite his later political views, he is remembered as an influential figure in the Russian and Ukrainian anarchist movements.