Alexander Herzen Biography

Alexander Herzen was a Russian author and political activist, popularly known as the ‘Father of Russian socialism’. He fought all his life for emancipation of serfs. He provided the ideological basis for much of the revolutionary activity in Russia. His struggle for achieving liberty began in his undergraduate years when he was deeply influenced by the liberal views of Comte de Saint-Simon and Charles Fourier. His pledge to devote his life to liberation of Russia and establish a good social order was even more intensified by the injustice he faced from the anarchist rule. He was sent to exile for six years for an irrational crime and upon his return to Russia, when he raised his voice to oppose the injustice of police, he was again banished for two years from his country. When he came back to Russia after his second exile, he joined the liberation movement group and started his writing career. His literary works are considered to be influenced by his life and times in Russia during the socialist movement and therefore have a unique place in its history. Eventually, he left Russia and traveled Europe to support the emancipation of the serfs. Upon arriving in London, he opened a publication to expose the government’s corruption and encourage masses to fight against oppression. He dedicated his life towards creating an equitable society in Russia.