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Petr TkachevWriter
Date of Birth: 11.07.1844
Country:  Russia |
Content:
- Biography of Peter Nikitich Tkachev (1844-1885)
- Political Involvement and Imprisonment
- Literary Beginnings and Journalistic Career
- Exile and Continued Writing
- Social and Political Views
- Political Controversies
- Later Years and Death
- Notable Publications
Biography of Peter Nikitich Tkachev (1844-1885)
Early Life and EducationPeter Nikitich Tkachev was born on September 17, 1844, in the Pskov Governorate of Russia, into a modest landowner's family. He enrolled in the Faculty of Law at the University of St. Petersburg, but was soon jailed for his participation in student riots, serving several months in the Kronstadt Fortress. Upon the university's reopening, Tkachev passed exams to earn a scholarly degree without rejoining the student body.
Political Involvement and Imprisonment
Tkachev became implicated in a political case known as the "Ballod Affair" and subsequently served multiple sentences in the Peter and Paul Fortress, initially as a pretrial detainee and later under a Senate verdict.
Literary Beginnings and Journalistic Career
Tkachev began writing at an early age. His debut article, "On the Trial of Offenses against Press Laws," appeared in the influential magazine "Time" in 1862. He contributed several additional articles to "Time" and "Epoch" on various issues related to judicial reform. From 1863 to 1864, Tkachev wrote for "Library for Reading," where he published his first "statistical studies" on crime, poverty, and charity.
In late 1865, Tkachev joined forces with G.E. Blagosvetlov and began writing for "Russian Word." Following its closure, he continued in "Cause." In 1869, he was arrested again and sentenced to one year and four months in prison for his involvement in the "Nechaev Affair."
Exile and Continued Writing
After completing his sentence, Tkachev was exiled to Velikiye Luki and soon emigrated abroad. His interrupted journalistic career resumed in 1872. He wrote again for "Cause," this time under various pseudonyms, including P. Nikitin, P.N. Nionov, and P. Gracchioli.
Tkachev became a prominent figure within the radical left wing of Russian journalism. His writing demonstrated exceptional literary talent; his articles were vivid, engaging, and thought-provoking. His clarity and logical consistency made his works valuable for understanding the intellectual currents of the period.
Social and Political Views
Tkachev was deeply influenced by the "sixties' generation" and remained committed to their ideals throughout his life. He shared their emphasis on social issues rather than natural science and subscribed to the principles of "economic materialism." He was among the first Russian journalists to mention Karl Marx by name.
Tkachev called for practical action in pursuit of an ideal society based on "social equilibrium." He believed that the achievement of this goal required conscious public involvement rather than fatalistic acceptance of economic conditions. Individuals had a responsibility to prioritize the common good over abstract morality or established social norms.
Political Controversies
Tkachev developed his political views in brochures published abroad and in the magazine "Nabat," which he edited in Geneva from 1875 to 1876. He staunchly opposed the dominant trends in emigrant literature, represented by P.L. Lavrov and M.A. Bakunin. Tkachev advocated for "Jacobin" tendencies, opposing both Bakunin's anarchism and Lavrov's "Forward" movement.
Later Years and Death
Tkachev's literary output diminished in the final years of his life. In 1883, he succumbed to mental illness and passed away on January 4, 1885, in Paris, at the age of 41.
Notable Publications
Tkachev's most significant literary contributions include:- "Productive Forces of Russia. Statistical Essays" (1867)
- "German Idealists and Philistines" (1867)
- "The People of the Future and the Heroes of the Bourgeoisie" (1868)
- "The Growing Forces" (1868)
- "Unfulfilled Illusions" (1868)
- "Statistical Notes on the Theory of Progress" (1872)
- "Saved and Salvation" (1872)
- "Unpainted Olden Times" (1872)
- "Statistical Essays on Russia" (1873)
- "The Role of Thought in History" (1875)
- "The Muzhik in the Salons of Modern Literature" (1879)
- "The Utilitarian Principle in Moral Philosophy" (1880)
