Bakunin, Mikhael Alexandrovitch (1814–1876)

Abstract

Mikhail Alexandrovitch Bakunin was unique amongst 19th-century revolutionaries. He combined a deep interest in political theory, philosophy and political economy with a love of political action. Not satisfied to merely outline the evils of existing society and draw blue-prints of superior ones, he propagandized, formed political secret societies and supported every political upheaval, large or small, hopeful or doomed to failure, of his era. Alexander Herzen said of him, ‘Everything about this man is colossal, his energy, his appetite, yes, even the man himself.’