Herzen works list of the most famous. Alexander Ivanovich Herzen

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Founder of Russian socialism

Writer and publicist, philosopher and teacher, author of the memoirs Past and Thoughts, founder of Russian free (uncensored) printing, Alexander Herzen was one of the most ardent critics of serfdom, and at the beginning of the 20th century he turned out to be almost a symbol of the revolutionary struggle. Until 1905, Herzen remained a banned writer in Russia, and the author's complete works were published only after the October Revolution.

Alexander Herzen was the illegitimate son of a wealthy landowner Ivan Yakovlev and a German woman, Louise Haag, and therefore received the surname that his father came up with for him - Herzen ("son of the heart"). The boy did not have a systematic education, but numerous tutors, teachers and educators instilled in him a taste for literature and knowledge of foreign languages. Herzen was brought up on French novels, the works of Goethe and Schiller, the comedies of Kotzebue and Beaumarchais. The teacher of literature introduced his pupil to the poems of Pushkin and Ryleev.

"The Decembrists woke up Herzen" (Vladimir Lenin)

The Decembrist uprising made a grand impression on 13-year-old Alexander Herzen and his 12-year-old friend Nikolai Ogarev; biographers claim that Herzen and Ogarev's first thoughts about freedom, dreams of revolutionary activity arose precisely then. Later, as a student at the Faculty of Physics and Technology at Moscow University, Herzen took part in student protests. During this period, Herzen and Ogarev converge with Vadim Passek and Nikolai Ketcher. Around Alexander Herzen, a circle of people is formed, just like him, who are fond of the works of European socialists.

This circle did not last long, and already in 1834 its members were arrested. Herzen was exiled to Perm, and then to Vyatka, but, partly at the request of Zhukovsky, our hero was transferred to Vladimir. It is believed that it was in this city that Herzen lived his happiest days. Here he married, secretly taking his bride from Moscow.

In 1840, after a short stay in St. Petersburg and service in Novgorod, Herzen moved to Moscow, where he met Belinsky. The union of the two thinkers gave Russian Westernism its final form.

"Hegel's philosophy is revolution" (Alexander Herzen)

Herzen's worldview was formed under the influence of the left Hegelians, the French utopian socialists and Ludwig Andreas von Feuerbach. In Hegel's dialectic, the Russian philosopher saw a revolutionary direction; it was Herzen who helped Belinsky and Bakunin overcome the conservative component of Hegelian philosophy.

Having moved to the Mother See, Herzen became the star of Moscow salons, in oratory he was second only to Alexei Khomyakov. Publishing under the pseudonym Iskander, Herzen began to acquire a name in literature, publishing both works of art and journalistic articles. In 1841-1846 the writer worked on the novel "Who is to blame?".

In 1846, he received a large inheritance after the death of his father, and a year later he left for Paris, from where he sent four Letters from Avenue Marigny to Nekrasov for Sovremennik. They openly promoted socialist ideas. The writer also openly supported the February Revolution in France, which forever deprived him of the opportunity to return to his homeland.

"In the history of Russian social thought, he will always occupy one of the very first places"

Until the end of his days, Alexander Herzen lived and worked abroad. After the victory of General Cavaignac in France, he left for Rome, and the failure of the Roman Revolution of 1848-1849 forced him to move to Switzerland. In 1853, Herzen settled in England and there, for the first time in history, created a free Russian press abroad. The famous memoirs "The Past and Thoughts", essays and dialogues "From the Other Shore" also appeared there. Gradually, the interests of the philosopher moved from the European revolution to Russian reforms. In 1857, Herzen founded the Kolokol magazine, inspired by ideas that appeared in Russia after the Crimean War.

The special political tact of Herzen the publisher, who, without departing from his socialist theories, was ready to support the reforms of the monarchy, as long as he was confident in their effectiveness and necessity, helped the Bell to become one of the important platforms where the peasant question was discussed. The magazine's influence waned when the issue itself was resolved. And the pro-Polish position of Herzen in 1862-1863 threw him back to that part of society that was not disposed to revolutionary ideas. To the youth, it seemed backward and outdated.

At home, he was a pioneer in promoting the ideas of socialism and the European positivist and scientific worldview of 19th century Europe. Georgy Plekhanov openly compared his compatriot with Marx and Engels. Speaking of Herzen's Letters, Plekhanov wrote:

“It is easy to think that they were written not in the early 40s, but in the second half of the 70s, and not by Herzen, but by Engels. To such an extent, the thoughts of the first are similar to the thoughts of the second. And this striking resemblance shows that the mind of Herzen worked in the same direction as the mind of Engels, and therefore Marx..

The first years of the boy were sad and lonely, but his unusually richly gifted nature began to unfold very early. He learned from his mother German, in conversations with his father and tutors - French. Yakovlev had a rich library, consisting almost exclusively of works French writers XVIII century, and the boy rummaged through it quite freely. Such a reading aroused in the boy's soul many questions that needed to be resolved. It was with them that young Herzen turned to his French teachers, among whom was the old man Buchot, who took part in the French revolution, and to Russians, especially to the seminarian student Protopopov, who, noticing the boy’s curiosity, introduced him to the works of new Russian literature and - how Herzen later wrote - he began to carry to him "finely copied and very worn out notebooks of Pushkin's poems -" Ode to Freedom "," Dagger "- and Ryleev's "Dumas." Herzen wrote off all this and memorized it. The events of December 14, 1825 determined the direction of Herzen's thoughts and aspirations, likes and dislikes. “The stories of indignation, of the trial, the horror in Moscow,” Herzen wrote in his memoirs, “struck me; new world which became more and more the focus of my entire moral existence; I don’t know how it happened, but, understanding little or very vaguely what was the matter, I felt that I was on the wrong side from which buckshot and victories, prisons and chains. The execution of Pestel and his comrades finally awakened the childish dream of my soul "... The boy's loneliness also ended. He met, and soon became close friends with the son of a distant relative of Yakovlev, Ogarev. This closeness then turned into the closest friendship. Kind, gentle, dreamy Ready to devote himself entirely to the service of his neighbors, Ogarev perfectly complemented the lively, energetic Herzen. Friends saw each other very often, read together, took long walks together, during which their thoughts and dreams rushed to fight against the injustice that surrounded Russian life. walks, in 1828, on Sparrow Hills, Herzen and Ogarev swore eternal friendship and an unchanging decision to devote their whole lives to the service of freedom. What was meant by this "freedom" was still unclear to them, but the imagination also drew the heroes of the French revolution, and the Decembrists, and Karl Mora, and Fiesco, and the Marquis Pozu ... Overcoming obstacles from his father, who wanted to arrange a military or diplomatic career for his son, Herzen entered Moscow University and plunged into a new, noisy world. Distinguished by an extremely lively temperament, Herzen studies a lot, reads a lot, but speaks, argues, and preaches even more. “Life at the university,” he recalls, “has left us with the memory of one long feast of ideas, a feast of science and dreams, sometimes stormy, sometimes gloomy, wild, but never vicious.” In addition to Ogarev, Herzen became close at this time with N.I. Sazonov (later a famous emigrant), N.M. Satin (translator of Shakespeare), A.N. Savich (astronomer), N.Kh. Catcher. This circle sometimes asked "mountain feasts", but the feasts were inspired by deep content. Their participants were talking and arguing about science, literature, art, philosophy, politics; if not the “union of Pestel and Ryleev” that Herzen dreamed about when entering the university, then the germ of opposition against the three famous “dogmas” of Russian social and political life was born. The July Revolution, the Polish uprising, the political and literary questions- all this found a lively response in the student circle, the center of which was Herzen. And then they saw in the circle "with inner horror" that "in Europe, especially in France, from where they were waiting for a political password and a slogan, things are not going well." In 1833 Herzen graduated from the university with a Ph.D. silver medal. However, he clearly understood that there was still a lot to learn, and in one letter, written a few days after finishing the university course, he wrote: “Although I completed the course, I collected so little that it’s a shame to look at people” . While still at the university, he became acquainted with the teachings of Saint-Simonis

which made a very strong impression on him. His thought had already turned to the study of the socialist writers of the West, but, of course, it cannot be said that from that time Herzen became a socialist. Herzen, not only at the beginning, but also at the end of the 1930s, was a man passionately searching, and not finally stopping at something, although the direction of his thoughts and sympathies was quite definite and expressed in the desire for freedom. A year after the end of the course, Herzen, Ogarev and several other people were arrested. The reason for the arrest was the very fact of the existence in Moscow of "unemployed", always talking about something, worrying and seething young people, and the reason was one student party, at which a song containing a "impudent censure" was sung, and a bust of Emperor Nicholas was smashed Pavlovich. The inquiry found out that Sokolovsky composed the song, Ogarev was familiar with Sokolovsky, Herzen was friends with Ogarev, and although neither Herzen nor Ogarev were even at the party, nevertheless, on the basis of "indirect evidence" regarding their "way of thinking", they were involved in the case of the "failed, as a result of the arrest, conspiracy of young people devoted to the teachings of Saint-Simonism." Ogarev was arrested before his friend. In the last days of his life at liberty, Herzen met his relative Natalya Alexandrovna Zakharyina, a young girl who was very religious and already loved Herzen, although he had not noticed this before. Herzen entered into conversation with her "for the first time after many years of acquaintance." He was indignant at the arrest of Ogarev, expressed indignation at the conditions of life under which such facts are possible. Natalya Alexandrovna pointed out to him the need to meekly endure trials, remembering Christ and the Apostle Paul. After ending up in prison, he writes from there, as well as from exile, letters full of prayerful mood. “No, faith burns in my chest, strong, alive,” he wrote in a letter dated December 10, 1834, “There is Providence. Herzen spent nine months in prison, after which, according to him, “we were read, as a bad joke, a death sentence, and then it was announced that, driven by such inadmissible kindness, so characteristic of him, the emperor ordered that only a corrective measure be applied to us, in the form of a link. Herzen was appointed the place of exile in Perm. “What do I care about Perm or Moscow, and Moscow-Perm,” Herzen wrote then. “Our life is decided, the die is cast, the storm has carried away. .. With such a mood, Herzen arrived in exile. He lived with him for a long time, but in him he aspired - to freedom. Natalya Alexandrovna brought him the words of the Apostle Paul: "He who lives in God cannot be chained," and in this Herzen saw the path to freedom, inner freedom, achievable for everyone, and through this and as a result of this, to universal freedom. Here begins the second period of Herzen's life. Herzen spent only three weeks in Perm and then, by order of the authorities, was transferred to Vyatka, where he was enrolled as a "clerk" in the service of Governor Tyufyaev, a typical representative of the pre-reform administration. Tyufyaev received Herzen very hostilely, and it is not known how his cavils and persecutions would have ended if some circumstances favorable for the exile had not happened. The Minister of the Interior decided to establish provincial statistical committees throughout Russia and demanded that the governors send him their comments on this matter. In order to compile an answer to such an unheard-of "inbox", I had to turn to the "scientific candidate of Moscow University." Herzen promised not only to draw up the required "review," but also to engage in the actual implementation of the minister's desire, so that he would be released from the useless daily stay in the governor's office and allowed to work at home. Tyufyaev had to agree to this. Soon Herzen clashed with Tyufyaev in a sharper form, and the exile would probably have had to travel to much more distant places if fate had not once again come to Herzen's aid. At this time of travel

l in Russia, accompanied by Zhukovsky and Arsenyev, who was then heir to the throne, Alexander Nikolayevich. Tyufyaev received from St. Petersburg an order to arrange an exhibition in Vyatka, in order to familiarize the heir with the natural wealth of the region, placing the exhibits "in the three kingdoms of nature." I had to turn again to Herzen, who also gave explanations to the heir. Surprised by the wealth of knowledge young man in the Vyatka wilderness, Zhukovsky and Arseniev began to question Herzen in detail who he was and how he got to Vyatka. Having learned what was the matter, they promised to petition for the return of Herzen from exile. This petition was not crowned with complete success, but, thanks to Zhukovsky and Arseniev, an order was soon issued to transfer Herzen from Vyatka to Vladimir. Meanwhile, an order was made from Petersburg to start in all provincial cities"Gubernskiye Vedomosti", with an appendix to them, the so-called

omitted "informal department". Governor Kornilov, who replaced Tyufyaev, offered Herzen the head of this department. Herzen traveled a lot around the province to collect materials for the newspaper, got acquainted with folk life, placed in the "Gubernskiye Vedomosti" a number of articles of economic and ethnographic content. With his active participation in Vyatka, the first public library, at which he delivered a speech, which later became part of the complete collection of his works. In Vyatka, Herzen became close to the famous architect Vitberg, who was in exile there, and experienced his influence very strongly. “Natalie,” Herzen wrote, “she barely showed me God, and I began to believe. more life and poetry than in philosophy. I bless that time." Then Herzen began to write "The Legend of St. Theodore" and "Thought and Revelation." Herzen speaks of the last article as follows: "in it I described my own development in order to reveal how experience led me to a religious outlook" Herzen was in the same mood in Vladimir, where big fact his life was marriage to N.A. Zakharyina. “I confessed today for the first time from my birth,” Herzen wrote on March 13, 1838, “I achieved such a victory with the help of Natasha over my soul.” But this was followed by a crisis. “Whatever you say, dear friend,” he wrote to the same Natasha, “but I can’t force myself to that heavenly meekness, which is one of the main properties of your character, I’m too fiery.” The strong mind of Herzen, the huge amount of collected information, which was still disorderly in the mind, the restless spirit and nature thirsting for activity - all this was still shrouded in a thick veil of Vyatka-Vladimir moods, but it was already torn to break them, it was only waiting for a push to give that Herzen, hallmark which was not "resignation", but a thirst for struggle. Such an impetus was for Herzen the study of Hegel, whose works were read at that time by all Herzen's friends in Moscow. This study led Herzen to conclusions opposite to those drawn from Hegel by Belinsky and other "Hegelians" of that time. Belinsky preached the well-known "reconciliation"; Herzen found that Hegel's philosophy is the "algebra of revolution". It was on this basis that Herzen's clash with Belinsky soon took place, ending in their temporary rupture; later, when Belinsky admitted his views were wrong, a friendship was established between him and Herzen, which lasted all their lives. After Vladimir Herzen was allowed to live in St. Petersburg, but then the "vile Russian reality" made itself felt again. In St. Petersburg, the watchman killed a passerby; this story was talked about everywhere, and Herzen told about it, as one of the news from St. Petersburg, in a letter to his father. The letter was read through, and Herzen was again assigned a link to Vyatka. Only with the help of great efforts was it possible to change the exile in Vyatka to exile in Novgorod, where Herzen was sent to serve as an adviser to the provincial government. There he had to manage cases of abuse of landlord power, cases of schismatics and ... cases of persons under police supervision, and among such persons was himself. In parallel with the accumulation of lessons drawn from life itself, Herzen worked continuously on theoretical questions. Soon he managed to get acquainted with the book of the most "leftist" of the Hegelians: Ogarev was abroad and from there he brought Feuerbach's The Essence of Christianity. Reading this book made a very strong impression on Herzen. In Novgorod, Herzen began to write his famous novel, "Who is to blame." Thanks to the efforts of friends, Herzen managed to escape from Novgorod, retire and move to Moscow. There he lived from 1842 to 1847 - the last period of his life in Russia. This period is filled with the most intensive work. Constant communication with Belinsky, Granovsky, Chaadaev and others, disputes with the Slavophiles, literary activity were the main content of Herzen's life. He grew more and more into such an outstanding force that Belinsky prophesied for him a place

"not only in the history of Russian literature", but also "in the history of Karamzin". As in many other cases, Belinsky was not mistaken. Herzen's literary activity did not put him in the ranks of Russian classical writers, but it is nonetheless remarkable to a high degree. Here is the development philosophical problems, and questions of ethics, and the Russian life of that time, with its oppressive influence on the living forces of the country, and an ardent love for native land, native people. Like all the best Russian people of the "forties", Herzen saw very well that the main evil of Russia is serfdom, but it was especially difficult to fight in literature precisely against this evil, which, along with autocracy, was recognized as the "dogma of political religion" in Russia. Nevertheless, in the story "The Thieving Magpie" and in famous novel"Who is to blame" Herzen, as far as possible, touched on this forbidden topic. Herzen peered intently into another question, even more complex - the question of the relationship between the sexes. This question is the main theme of the novel "Who is to blame"; Herzen returned to it more than once in his other works, especially in the article: "About one drama." This article was written under the impression of "the most ordinary play," but the strength of Herzen's intellectual and moral personality lies in the fact that his gaze saw aspects in the most "ordinary" things that thousands of people pass by with complete indifference. Herzen peered just as intently into the question of the role of abstract knowledge, theoretical ideas, and abstract philosophy. To this theme he devoted the articles "Amateurs in Science", "Dilevantle-Roantiksh", "Dshlhtanty0i0tskhkh0uzeyykh" and "Buddhism in Aukh", yarshchm0pyud "science" Herzen means in general the theoretical work of human thought and, in particular, philosophy. Herzen demands from a person both breadth and depth. To a specialist in a particular field, he demands to respond to all the demands of living life, in other words, to be a citizen. He makes the same demand to "amateurs", insisting that at least one question be thoroughly studied. Herzen was also deeply occupied with the question of the relationship between the individual and the collectivity. In the ancient world, the individual was wholly sacrificed to the collectivity. "The Middle Ages turned the question around - they made the person essential, the res publica insignificant. But neither one nor the other solution can satisfy the perfect man." "One reasonable, conscious combination of personality and state will lead to a true concept of a person in general. This combination is the most difficult task set by modern thinking" ... If we add to this such works by Herzen as "Letters on the Study of Nature", which are essays on the history of philosophy and presentation philosophical views Herzen himself, then all the versatility of the topics that worried him back in the forties will become clear. And over all these topics it blew living feeling, which determined the content of Herzen's entire life. He described this content himself, already at the end of his days, in the following words: "the dominant axis around which our life went is our attitude towards the Russian people, faith in him, love for him, desire to actively participate in his destinies." Under the conditions under which Herzen's life in Russia proceeded, he could express in print only a small fraction of the thoughts on which he worked hard. His mental interests and demands were enormous. He closely follows the development of socialist doctrines in Europe, studies Fourier, Considerant, Louis Blanc, pays tribute to them, but retains independence and his own thought. He says about them in his diary: "well, extremely good, but not a complete solution to the problem. They are cramped in a wide light phalanstery; this arrangement of one side of life is awkward for others." This entry refers to 1844, but Herzen is already heard in it during the period of his life in Europe. Proudhon makes the most complete impression on Herzen, about whose famous work, "Qu" est ce que la proprieteN ", Herzen responded in his diary as follows:" beautiful work, not only not lower, but higher than what was said and written about not

m ... Development is excellent, apt, strong, sharp and imbued with fire. "At the same time, Herzen studies the history of Russia, the life of the Russian people, the way of his mental life. He approaches the question: what force has preserved many of the wonderful qualities of the Russian people, despite on the Tatar yoke, the German drill and the domestic whipN - This is the power of Orthodoxy, - said the Slavophiles: only from it comes, as a derivative, the spirit of the catholicity of the people, and the external expression of this spirit is the communal life of the Russian peasantry. period" of Russian history, and this is all our misfortune. The whole question now boils down to returning "to the people", to merging with it. The Russian people in their everyday life solved the very task that the "West" set only in thought. Herzen did not agree with the premises from which the views of the Slavophils proceeded, but there is no doubt that their views on "special

awn" economic life Russia were largely assimilated by him and took their place in his later views. This he himself admitted. In spite of his exuberant mental life, Herzen felt that there was no work, permanent work, for his forces in Russia at that time, and this thought sometimes almost drove him to despair. “We argued, argued,” he wrote in his diary, “and, as always, ended in nothing, cold speeches and witticisms. Our state is hopeless, because it is false, because historical logic indicates that we are outside the needs of the people, and our cause is desperate pain." Herzen was drawn to Europe, but to Herzen's request for a foreign passport for the treatment of his wife there, Emperor Nicholas put a resolution: "no need." The conditions of Russian life pressed Herzen terribly; meanwhile, Ogarev was already abroad and from there he wrote to his friend: “Herzen! But you can’t live at home. I’m convinced that it’s impossible. A person who is a stranger to his family is obliged to break with his family ... an act. I, weak, indecisive, impractical, dem Grubelenden, need an act. What next for you, stronger than meN "Herzen himself felt with his whole being that "it is impossible to live at home", but he had endured many difficult days before, when the desired opportunity came, and the doors of the stuffy Russian prison of the 1940s opened before him. The joy of liberation, the novelty of the feeling of being able to breathe with a free chest, and that heightened atmosphere that distinguished all of Europe, and especially in France, on the eve of the storms of 1848 - all this filled Herzen's soul with joy. Arriving, in 1847, directly in Paris, he was completely immersed in the new life. He quickly became close to the leaders of the French social movement of that time and was therefore able to observe the unfolding events very closely. “Herzen’s house,” recalls Annenkov, who was also abroad at that time, “became like a Dionysian ear, where all the noise of Paris was clearly reflected, the slightest movements and unrest that ran through the surface of his street and intellectual life.” But through the outer scenery of this life, Herzen soon discerned its shadow sides. Already in "Letters from Avenue Marigny" there are lines that clearly indicate the dissatisfaction that he then experienced. "France has never fallen so deeply in moral terms as it is now," he wrote on September 15, 1847. deeper antipathy. “Debauchery,” he wrote, “penetrated everywhere: into the family, into the legislative body, literature, the press. It is so common that no one notices it, and does not want to notice it. And this debauchery is not wide, not chivalrous, but petty, soulless, stingy. This is the debauchery of a huckster." As for the leaders of the movement, here, too, the first impression of conversations with them, equal, as he jokingly remarked, "to some extent to rank, promotion," was quickly replaced by a skeptical attitude towards them. "I have all the experiences of idolatry and idols do not hold and very soon give way to complete denial." He was drawn to Italy, where at that time the liberation movement was going, apparently, in a different direction than in France. “I recovered morally,” wrote Herzen, “crossing the borders of France; I owe Italy a renewal of faith in my own strength and in the strength of others; many hopes have risen again in my soul; I saw animated faces, tears, I heard passionate words ... All of Italy woke up before my eyes. I saw the Neapolitan king, made by hand, and the pope, humbly begging for alms of people's love. " news about February Revolution in France and the proclamation of the Second Republic there again attracted Herzen to Paris, where the fever of events captured him very strongly; but the impression that France made on him on his first visit there has not diminished in the least even now. He saw more and more clearly that the revolution had nothing to rely on and that Paris was irresistibly heading towards disaster. It happened in the "June days" that Herzen experienced in Paris. They made a terrible impression.

but him. “On the evening of June 26, after the victory over Paris, we heard correct volleys, with small arrangements ... We all looked at each other, everyone had green faces. “After all, they are shooting,” we said in one voice and turned away from each other. I pressed my forehead against the glass of the window and was silent..." The scenes that followed were of the same character: "The haughty National Guard, with dull malice on their face, took care of their shops, threatening with a bayonet and butt; jubilant crowds of drunken mobiles walked along the boulevards, singing; boys They boasted about the blood of their brothers for 15-17 years.Cavaignac took with him some kind of monster who killed a dozen Frenchmen... Doubt brought its heavy leg to the last assets, it shook up not the church sacristy, not doctoral robes, but revolutionary banners"... Soon Herzen had to flee from Paris to Geneva in order to avoid arrest, although on paper a republic continued to exist in France. While still in Paris, Herzen made up his mind not to return to Russia. No matter how terrible everything he experienced in Europe, Herzen managed to get used to such living conditions, after which the return to his homeland seemed downright beyond human strength. Fight the conditions of Russian life - and Herzen decided to fight them by direct attack on them in the press in Russian and foreign languages, - it was possible only by staying in Europe. In addition, he wanted to acquaint Europe with Russia - the real Russia, and not the one that Europe was often drawn by bribed pens. But before Herzen's position as an emigrant was finally determined, some other events took place in his life. Hiding from Paris to Geneva, he met there many people from different countries and, by the way, with Mazzini, for whom he retained the warmest sympathy for the rest of his life. There he also received a letter from Proudhon asking him to help him publish the newspaper La voix du Peuple and become its closest collaborator. Herzen sent Proudhon the 24,000 francs necessary for making a bail and began to write in his newspaper. But this did not last long: a number of fines were imposed on the newspaper, nothing was left of the pledge, and the newspaper ceased. After that, Herzen finally naturalized in Switzerland. The aggravation of the reaction was joined by a series of heavy blows in Herzen's personal life. All this brought Herzen into the gloomiest mood of the spirit, and when the December coup d "etat took place, Herzen wrote the article "Vive la mort!" ... He lived then in Nice. At one time it seemed to him that "everything collapsed - general and private, European revolution and domestic shelter, freedom of the world and personal happiness. "The state in which he was, he himself called" the edge of moral death, "but he emerged victorious from it: according to him, he was saved by" faith in Russia " , and he decided to devote himself entirely to her service.Living in Nice, he published a number of his works: first appeared in German "Letters from France and Italy", then the brochure "On the Development of Revolutionary Ideas in Russia" (originally also in German in "Deutsche Jahrbucher", then in a separate edition in French "Du developpement des idees revolutionnaires en Russie") and, finally, "Le peuple russe et le socialisme" ("Letter to Michel") Both of these pamphlets were banned in France.At the same time, it appeared in the press and famous work Herzen "From the Other Bank" (originally also in German: "Von andern Ufer"). In this famous work, Herzen posed the question: “Where lies the need for the future to play out a program we have invented,” in other words, what are the objective guarantees that the ideals of socialism are feasibleN Having parted with theologism a long time ago, Herzen took the same negative position to every philosophical construction. Having declared to Khomyakov back in Moscow that he could accept “the terrible results of the most ferocious immanence, because the conclusions of the mind are independent of whether a person wants to or not,” Herzen called on the judgment of reason and earthly religion, the religion of humanity, the religion of progress. “Explain to me, please,” he asked, “why it is ridiculous to believe in God, but to believe in humanity is not funny, to believe in the kingdom of heaven

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the natural is stupid, but to believe in earthly utopias is smartN "- The goal of each generation, according to Herzen, is itself. It must live, and live a human life - to live in social environment in which the individual is free, and at the same time society is not destroyed. But the creation of such relations between the individual and society depends only partly on ourselves, but mainly on the conditions already given by previous history. Exploring living conditions European countries, Herzen comes to conclusions for these countries are very pessimistic. He finds that Europe is mired in the impenetrable swamp of "philistinism." She, perhaps, will get rid of the autocracy of private property by realizing the economic side of the problem of socialism. This will be the best case, but even then she will not be able to wash off her philistinism; its very socialism will be petty-bourgeois socialism. In the worst case, this will not happen either - then Europe will completely stagnate in the terry bloom of philistinism

and will eventually disintegrate. With such a turn of affairs, the possibility is not ruled out that she will become a victim Eastern peoples with fresher blood. Herzen saw the objective conditions for other possibilities in Russia with the communal way of life of its people and the thought free from prejudice of the advanced stratum of Russian society, what later became known as the intelligentsia. Herzen was led to the same conclusion by his ardent love for Russia. He wrote that faith in Russia saved him then "on the verge of moral death." This faith resurrected all Herzen's strength, and in the same work "From the Other Shore" he wanted to speak to Europe about the Russian people, "powerful and unsolved, which secretly formed a state of 60 million, which grew so strongly and surprisingly, without losing the communal principle, and carried him through the initial upheavals of state development; who retained stately features, a lively mind and a wide revelry of a rich nature under the yoke of serfdom and to Peter's order to be formed - responded a hundred years later with the enormous phenomenon of Pushkin. This theme takes over Herzen completely, he varies it in different ways, comes to the conclusion about the possibility for Russia of a different path of development, different from the Western European one, considers the community and the artel as the basis for such development, sees in the secular gathering an embryo from which the widest public, lays the foundation for the later Russian populism - in a word, imposes the stamp of his personality on the movement of the Russian intelligentsia, which then continued for decades. Living in Nice, Herzen hardly saw Russians. Lived there at the same time, also as an emigrant, Golovin, who edited there even the newspaper "Le Carillon" (Trezvon); Perhaps this name prompted Herzen to give his Russian organ the name Kolokol later on. Herzen did not establish any close relations with Golovin. Engelson was also in Nice (later an employee of the Polar Star); Herzen had closer relations with him than with Golovin. After burying his wife in Nice, Herzen moved to London. There he installed the first free Russian press machine. Leaflets and brochures were printed on this machine ("St. George's Day", "Poles Pierce Us", "Baptized Property", etc.), then the magazine "Polyarnaya Zvezda" and, finally, the famous "Bell", the first issue of which was published on July 1, 1857 The Kolokola program included three specific provisions: 1) the liberation of the peasants from the landowners, 2) the liberation of the word from censorship, and 3) the liberation of the taxable estate from beatings. Outlining this program, Herzen, of course, looked at it as a minimum program and, calling himself in his famous letter to Alexander II "an incorrigible socialist", he wrote the following lines: "I am ashamed of how little we are ready to be content with. We want things that you have as little doubt about as fair as everyone else. For the first time, this is enough for you. "The breadth of outlook, combined with the ability to raise questions on practically feasible ground, attracted to Herzen the warm sympathy of the best elements of Russia in the late 50s and early 60s. Shevchenko entered in his diary that he wanted to redraw portrait of Herzen, "honoring the name of this holy man" and that, seeing the "Bell" for the first time, he "reverently kissed it." Kavelin wrote to Herzen: "When you denounced everything with unheard of and unprecedented courage, when you threw in your brilliant articles and pamphlets of thoughts that ran centuries ahead, and for the current day set the most moderate demands, the most immediate, standing in line, you seemed to me that great person who should begin a new Russian history. I wept over your articles, knew them by heart, chose epigraphs from them for future historical works, political and philosophical studies. "With tears in my eyes," says P.A. Kropotkin, - we read Herzen's famous article: "You won, Galilean" ... Such reviews about Herzen and his journal could be cited a lot. "Bell" and the role played by "Bell" in resolving the peasant question and in general in public

movement in Russia in the late 50s and early 60s, a special article will be devoted. With the advent of reaction, and especially after the Polish uprising, Herzen's influence fell sharply; The Bell continued to be published until 1867, inclusive, but it no longer had its former significance. Last period Herzen's life was for him a time of isolation from Russia and loneliness. "Fathers" recoiled from him for "radicalism", and "children" - for "moderation". state of mind Herzen was, of course, very difficult, but he believed that the truth would triumph, believed in the powerful spiritual forces of the Russian people, and firmly endured his position. Everyone who saw him at that time unanimously testifies that, despite everything experienced and experienced, it was still the same lively, charming, witty Herzen. As before, he was interested in the course of events in Russia, as before, he kept a vigilant eye on the state of affairs in Europe. How penetratingly Herzen looked at everything that was happening around him can be seen from such a striking example: living at the end of 1867 (after the end of The Bell) in Genoa, Herzen wrote an article about Napoleonic France, which can be called prophetic. "Holy father, now it's your business" - these words from Schiller's "Don Carlos" (Philip II transfers the life of his son into the hands of the Grand Inquisitor), taken by Herzen as an epigraph to the article, Herzen "one wants to repeat Bismarck. The pear is ripe, and without his lordship will not do. Do not stand on ceremony, count. I am sorry that I am right; I seem to be touched by the fact that in in general terms foresaw him. I am annoyed with myself, as a child is annoyed with a barometer that indicates a storm and ruins a walk ... Count Bismarck, now it's up to you!" Those were the words of a seer. A year after Herzen wrote this article (it appeared in the last book "Polar Stars"), he arrived in Paris, where he died on January 9/21, 1870. He was buried first at the Pere Lachaise cemetery, and then his ashes were transported to Nice, where he rests to this day. Above the grave rises a beautiful, depicting Herzen standing to his full height, with his face turned towards Russia, monument by Zabello March 25, 1912 all cultural Russia celebrated the centenary of the birth of Herzen. Many newspapers dedicated that day to the memory of the glorious citizen of the Russian land hot articles that were read by hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of readers, and thus the beginning of Herzen's "spiritual return" to his homeland was laid. With the change in the conditions of political life existing in Russia, such a "return" will no doubt be carried out much more in full. Then not only the spirit of Herzen, in the form complete collection his works and letters, but, hopefully, the ashes of the great exile will be returned to Russia and laid to rest in his dearly beloved native land. Literature. The main source for the study of Herzen are, first of all, his own works, available in two editions, foreign and Russian. Both editions are far from complete. They did not include many works by Herzen, not to mention the great importance to study the life and work of Herzen, his correspondence with various persons. Biographies of Herzen: Smirnova (Ev. Solovieva; 1897); Vetrinsky (1908) and Bogucharsky (1912). Herzen is also devoted to: an article by Ovsyaniko-Kulikovsky (characteristic); Baturinsky's book "Herzen, his friends and acquaintances"; Gershenzon "Social and political views of Herzen"; Plekhanov, an article in the 13th issue of the "History of Russian literature XIX V.", and others. A detailed bibliography of Herzen and about Herzen, compiled by A.G. Fomin (brought to 1908) is attached to the biography of Herzen written by Vetrinsky. V. Bogucharsky.

KLASSNE
KLASSNE 05.11.2016 07:19:46

April 6 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Russian prose writer, publicist and philosopher Alexander Ivanovich Herzen.

Herzen A.I. - biography Herzen A.I. - biography

Herzen Alexander Ivanovich (pseudonym Iskander) (1812 - 1870)
Herzen A.I.
Biography
Russian politician, writer, philosopher, publicist. He was born on April 6 (according to the old style - March 25), 1812 in Moscow. Illegitimate son noble Russian gentleman I.A. Yakovlev and the German woman Louise Gaag, whom Yakovlev, returning from a long trip to Europe, took with him to Moscow. Yakovlev gave the child the surname Herzen (from the German word "Herz" - heart). The first years of the boy were sad and lonely. He learned German from his mother, and French in conversations with his father and tutors. Yakovlev had a rich library, consisting almost exclusively of works by French writers of the 18th century, and the boy rummaged through it quite freely. The events of December 14, 1825 determined the direction of Herzen's aspirations and sympathies. In 1833 Herzen graduated from the university with a candidate's degree and a silver medal. While still at the university, he became acquainted with the teachings of the Saint-Simonists. A year after the end of the course, Herzen and his friend Ogarev were arrested. The reason for the arrest was the very fact of the existence in Moscow of "unemployed", always talking about something, worrying and seething young people, and the reason was one student party, at which a song containing a "impudent censure" was sung, and a bust of Emperor Nicholas was smashed Pavlovich. The inquiry found out that Sokolovsky composed the song, Ogarev was familiar with Sokolovsky, Herzen was friends with Ogarev, and although neither Herzen nor Ogarev were even at the party, nevertheless, on the basis of "indirect evidence" regarding their "way of thinking", they were involved in the case of the "failed, as a result of the arrest, conspiracy of young people devoted to the teachings of Saint-Simonism." Herzen spent nine months in prison, after which, according to him, “we were read, as a bad joke, a death sentence, and then it was announced that, driven by such inadmissible kindness, so characteristic of him, the emperor ordered that only a corrective measure be applied to us, in the form of a link. Herzen was appointed the place of exile in Perm, where he spent three weeks and then, by order of the authorities, was transferred to Vyatka, with enrollment as a "clerk" in the service of Governor Tyufyaev. Soon he was transferred from Vyatka to Vladimir, and after Vladimir Herzen was allowed to live in St. Petersburg, but soon he was again in exile, in Novgorod. Thanks to the efforts of friends, Herzen managed to escape from Novgorod, retire and move to Moscow. There he lived from 1842 to 1847 - the last period of his life in Russia. Herzen was drawn to Europe, but to Herzen's request for a foreign passport for the treatment of his wife there, Emperor Nicholas put a resolution: "no need." The conditions of Russian life pressed Herzen terribly; meanwhile, Ogarev was already abroad, and from there he wrote to his friend: “Herzen! But you can't live at home. I am convinced that it is impossible. A person who is a stranger to his family is obliged to break with his family. "In 1847, he finally arrived in Paris, then in Geneva, lived in Italy. After the appearance of" Letters from France and Italy ", Herzen's famous work" With of the other coast" (originally also in German: "Von andern Ufer"). After burying his wife in Nice, Herzen moved to London, where he installed the first free Russian press, on which the magazines "Polyarnaya Zvezda" and "Kolokol" were printed, the first issue which was released on July 1, 1857. "The Bell" continued to appear until 1867. The last period of Herzen's life was for him a time of isolation from Russia and loneliness. "Fathers" recoiled from him for "radicalism", and "children" - for "moderation". January 21 (Old Style - 9) January 1870 in Paris. Herzen was buried first at the Pere Lachaise cemetery, and then his ashes were transported to Nice, where he rests to this day. Above the grave rises a beautiful depiction of Herzen standing to his full height, with facing towards Russia, a monument by Zabello.
Among the works - articles, stories, novels: "Notes of a Young Man" (autobiographical story), "Moscow and Petersburg" (1842; the pamphlet diverged in lists; published in 1857), "Amateurism in Science" (1843), the study of nature” (1845 - 1846), “Who is to blame?” (1841 - 1846, novel), "Doctor Krupov" (1847, story), "The Thieving Magpie" (1848, story), "Duty First" (1851, story), "Injured" (1851, story), " William Penn" (drama), "Past and Thoughts" (1852 - 1868, autobiographical novel), "For the sake of boredom" (1868 - 1869, essay), "Doctor, dying and dead" (1869, story), "To an old comrade "(1869, letters - last work).
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Information sources:
"Russian biographical dictionary"
Encyclopedic resource www.rubricon.com
Project "Russia congratulates!" - www.prazdniki.ru

(Source: "Aphorisms from around the world. Encyclopedia of wisdom." www.foxdesign.ru)

Consolidated encyclopedia of aphorisms. Academician. 2011 .

See what "A.I. Herzen - biography" is in other dictionaries:

Alexander Ivanovich (pseudo Iskander) (25.3(0.4). 1812, Moscow, 9(21).1.1870, Paris), Russian. writer and publicist, materialist philosopher, revolutionary. From the nobility: the illegitimate son of a wealthy landowner I. A. Yakovlev. Graduated in Physics and Mathematics ... ... Philosophical Encyclopedia

Alexander Ivanovich (1812 1870) a remarkable publicist and one of the most talented memoirists of world literature, an outstanding political figure, the founder of Russian free (uncensored) printing, the founder of Russian political ... ... Literary Encyclopedia

Surname of an outstanding Russian writer and politician. The marriage of his father, a large gentleman, I.A. Yakovlev, with a German girl was not a church one, so the father could not pass on his surname to his son and gave him the surname Herzen from the German Herz heart. ... ... Russian surnames

Herzen- Herzen, A.I. (1812 1870) famous Russian writer and revolutionary. He began his revolutionary activity under the influence of the great utopian socialists. In 1834, together with Ogarev and others, he was exiled to Perm, and then to Vyatka. Upon returning to Moscow ... ... 1000 biographies

HERZEN- GERTSEN, Petr Alexandrovich, professor of surgery 1 Moscow. state university; genus. in 1871; son of Professor of Physiology A. A. Herzen and grandson of the writer and revolutionary A. I. Herzen. Honey. He received his education abroad, where he defended the first ... ... Big Medical Encyclopedia

Alexander Ivanovich (Iskander) (1812-1870) Russian philosopher, writer, public figure. In 1829 1833 he studied at the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics of Moscow University. Even before entering the university, he met N.P. Ogarev, together with ... ... The latest philosophical dictionary

I Herzen Alexander Ivanovich (pseudonym Iskander), Russian revolutionary, writer, philosopher and publicist. Born into the family of a wealthy landowner I. A. Yakovlev; mother German Louise Haag. Marriage of parents... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

Alexander Ivanovich (pseudo. Iskander) (25.III (6.IV).1812 9 (21).I.1870) Russian revolutionary figure, philosopher, writer and publicist. Genus. in Moscow in the family of a wealthy landowner. The formation of G.'s worldview was influenced by freedom-loving ... ... Soviet historical encyclopedia

1. GERTSEN Alexander Ivanovich (1812 1870), revolutionary, writer, philosopher. He graduated from Moscow University (1833), where in 1831 34, together with N. P. Ogaryov, he headed a student circle. In 1834 he was arrested and spent 6 years in exile. Published since 1836 under ... ... Russian history

Herzen, A. I.- (1812 1870) famous Russian writer and revolutionary. He began his revolutionary activity under the influence of the great utopian socialists. In 1834, together with Ogarev and others, he was exiled to Perm, and then to Vyatka. Upon returning to Moscow, Herzen becomes ... ... Historical reference book of a Russian Marxist

Herzen Al-dr Iv- HERZEN Al dr Iv. (pseudo Iskander) (1812 70) rev. publicist, writer, philosopher. The illegitimate son of a wealthy landowner I. A. Yakovlev and Louise Haag, a native of Stuttgart. Got a house. education. WITH early years was influenced by freedom-loving ideas. In 1828 ... ... Russian humanitarian encyclopedic dictionary

Books

• Alexander Herzen. Selected works in 5 volumes (set), Alexander Herzen. Alexander Ivanovich Herzen - Russian writer, publicist, theorist and historian of literature, philosopher, founder of the Russian uncensored press, founder of the Russian political ...

Herzen Alexander Ivanovich - Russian prose writer, publicist.

Born on March 25 (April 6), 1812 in Moscow in the family of a noble Moscow gentleman I.A. Yakovlev and a German woman Louise Gaag. The marriage of the parents was not formalized, so an illegitimate child was considered a pupil of his father. This explains the invented surname - from the German word Herz (heart). The future writer spent his childhood in his uncle's house on Tverskoy Boulevard (now house 25, which houses the Gorky Literary Institute). Although from childhood Herzen was not deprived of attention, the position of an illegitimate child evoked in him a feeling of orphanhood. In his memoirs, the writer called native home“a strange abbey”, and considered the only pleasures of childhood to be playing with yard boys, front and maiden. Childhood impressions of the life of serfs, according to Herzen, aroused in him "an insurmountable hatred for any slavery and for any arbitrariness."
Oral memoirs of living witnesses of the war with Napoleon, freedom-loving poems by Pushkin and Ryleev, works by Voltaire and Schiller - these are the main milestones in the development of the soul of young Herzen. The uprising of December 14, 1825 turned out to be the most significant event in this series. After the execution of the Decembrists, Herzen, together with his friend N. Ogarev, vowed to "take revenge on the executed."

In 1829 Herzen entered the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics of Moscow University, where he soon formed a group of progressive-minded students. Members of this group Ogarev, N.Kh. Ketcher and others discussed the burning problems of our time: French Revolution 1830, Polish uprising 1830–1831, other events modern history. By this time, he was fascinated by the ideas of Saint-Simonism and attempts to present his own vision of the social order. Already in the first articles (On the Place of Man in Nature, 1832, etc.), Herzen showed himself not only as a philosopher, but also as a brilliant writer. Hoffmann's essay (1833-1834, publ. 1836) showed a typical manner of writing: an introduction to journalistic reasoning of a bright figurative language, confirmation of the author's thoughts by plot narration.

In 1833 Herzen graduated from the university with a silver medal. Work in the Moscow expedition of the Kremlin structure. The service left the young man enough free time to engage in creativity. Herzen conceived the idea of ​​publishing a magazine, but in July 1834 he was arrested - for allegedly singing songs in the company of friends discrediting royal family. During interrogations, the Investigative Commission, without proving the direct guilt of Herzen, nevertheless considered that his convictions posed a danger to the state.

In April 1835, with the obligation to be in the public service under the supervision of the local authorities, Herzen was exiled first to Perm, then to Vyatka. He was friends with the architect A.L. Vitberg and other exiles, corresponded with his cousin N.A. Zakharyina, who later became his wife. In 1837 Vyatka was visited by the heir to the throne, who was accompanied by V.A. Zhukovsky. At the poet's request, at the end of 1837 Herzen was transferred to Vladimir, where he served in the governor's office. From Vladimir, Herzen secretly went to Moscow to see his bride, and in May they got married. From 1839 to 1850, four children were born in the Herzen family. In July 1839, police supervision was removed from Herzen, he got the opportunity to visit Moscow and St. Petersburg, where he was accepted into the circle of V. G. Belinsky, T. N. Granovsky, I. I. Panaev and others. in which he wrote about the "murder" of the St. Petersburg guard. The enraged Nicholas I ordered Herzen to be sent "for spreading unfounded rumors" to Novgorod without the right to enter the capitals. Only in July 1842, having retired with the rank of court adviser, after the petition of his friends, Herzen returned to Moscow. He began hard work on a series of articles on the connection of science and philosophy with real life under the general title Dilettantism in Science.

After several unsuccessful attempts to contact fiction. In 1847 Herzen left Russia with his family and began his long journey through Europe. Observing the life of Western countries, he interspersed personal impressions with historical and philosophical studies (Letters from France and Italy, 1847-1852; From the other side, 1847-1850, etc.). In 1850–1852, a series of personal dramas by Herzen took place: the betrayal of his wife, the death of his mother and youngest son in a shipwreck, the death of his wife from childbirth. In 1852 Herzen settled in London. By this time, he was perceived as the first figure of the Russian emigration. Together with Ogarev, he began to publish revolutionary publications - the almanac "Polar Star" (1855-1868) and the newspaper "The Bell" (1857-1867), whose influence on the revolutionary movement in Russia was enormous. Despite the many articles published by the writer in " polar star” and “The Bell” and published in separate editions, his main creation of the emigrant years is the Past and Thoughts (published 1855–1919).

The past and thoughts on the genre - a synthesis of memoirs, journalism, literary portraits, autobiographical novel, historical chronicle, short stories. The author himself called this book a confession, "about which stopped thoughts from thoughts gathered here and there." The first five parts describe Herzen's life from childhood to the events of 1850-1852, when the author suffered severe spiritual trials associated with the collapse of his family. The sixth part, as a continuation of the first five, is devoted to life in England. The seventh and eighth parts, even more free in chronology and subject matter, reflect the life and thoughts of the author in the 1860s.

At first, Herzen intended to write about tragic events his personal life. But “everything old, half-forgotten, was resurrected,” and the architecture of the concept gradually expanded. In general, work on the book lasted about fifteen years, and the chronology of the narrative did not always coincide with the chronology of writing. In 1865, Herzen left England and went on a long journey through Europe, trying to unwind after another family drama(three-year-old twins died of diphtheria, the new wife did not find understanding among the older children). At this time, Herzen moved away from the revolutionaries, especially from the Russian radicals. Arguing with Bakunin, who called for the destruction of the state, he wrote: "People cannot be liberated in the outer life more than they are liberated inside." These words are perceived as Herzen's spiritual testament.
Like most Russian Westernizers-radicals, Herzen went through his spiritual development through a period of deep passion for Hegelianism. Hegel's influence is clearly seen in the series of articles Dilettantism in Science (1842-1843). Their pathos lies in the approval and interpretation of Hegelian dialectics as a tool for cognition and revolutionary transformation of the world (“the algebra of revolution”). Herzen severely condemned abstract idealism in philosophy and science for being isolated from real life, for "apriorism" and "spiritualism." The future development of mankind, in his opinion, should lead to the "removal" of antagonistic contradictions in society, the formation of philosophical and scientific knowledge, inextricably linked with reality. Moreover, the result of development will be the merging of spirit and matter. IN historical process knowledge of reality, a "universal mind, freed from personality" will be formed.
These ideas were further developed in the main philosophical essay Herzen - Letters on the study of nature (1845-1846). Continuing the criticism of philosophical idealism, Herzen defined nature as a "pedigree of thinking", and saw in the idea of ​​pure being only an illusion. For a materialistic thinker, nature is an eternally living, "wandering substance", primary in relation to the dialectic of knowledge. In the Letters, Herzen, quite in the spirit of Hegelianism, substantiated consistent historiocentrism: “neither humanity nor nature can be understood without historical being,” and in understanding the meaning of history he adhered to the principles of historical determinism. However, in the reflections of the late Herzen, the former progressivism gives way to much more pessimistic and critical assessments.
First of all, this refers to his analysis of the process of formation in society of a new type of mass consciousness, exclusively consumer, based on completely materialistic individualism (egoism). Such a process, according to Herzen, leads to a total massization of social life and, accordingly, to its kind of entropy (“the turn of the whole European life in favor of silence and crystallization"), to the loss of individual and personal identity. “Personalities were erased, generic typism smoothed out everything sharply individual and restless” (Ends and Beginnings, 1863). Disappointment in European progress, according to Herzen, led him "to the brink of moral death", from which only "faith in Russia" saved him. Herzen hoped for the possibility of establishing socialist relations in Russia (although he had considerable doubts about the previous revolutionary paths, which he wrote about in an article To an old comrade, 1869). Herzen associated the prospects for the development of socialism primarily with the peasant community.

Herzen Alexander Ivanovich - writer, publicist and public figure of the 19th century. Widely known as the creator of the work "Who is to blame?". But few people know how difficult and interesting the life of the writer was. It is about the biography of Herzen that we will talk in this article.

Herzen Alexander Ivanovich: biography

Was born future writer in Moscow on March 25, 1812 in a wealthy landowner's family. His father was Ivan Alekseevich Yakovlev, his mother was Louise Haag, the sixteen-year-old daughter of an official serving as a clerk in Stuttgart. Herzen's parents were not registered and later also did not legalize the marriage. As a result, the son received a surname invented by his father - Herzen, which was formed from the German herz, which translates as "son of the heart."

Despite his origin, Alexander received a noble education at home, which was mainly based on the study of foreign literature. He also learned several foreign languages.

A great influence on Herzen, although he was still just a child, had a message about the uprising of the Decembrists. In those years, he was already friends with Ogarev, who shared these impressions with him. It was after this incident that dreams of a revolution in Russia were born in the minds of the boy. Walking on Sparrow Hills, he swore an oath to do everything for the overthrow of Tsar Nicholas I.

University years

Biography of Herzen (its full version is presented in literary encyclopedias) is a description of the life of a man who tried to make his country better, but was defeated.

The young writer, full of dreams about the struggle for freedom, enters the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics of Moscow University, where these sentiments only intensified. In his student years, Herzen participated in the "Malov story", fortunately, he got off very lightly - he spent several days with his comrades in a punishment cell.

As for university teaching, it left much to be desired and was of little use. Only a few teachers introduced students to modern trends and German philosophy. Nevertheless, the youth were very determined and met the July Revolution with joy and hope. Young people gathered in groups, vigorously discussed social issues, studied the history of Russia, sang the ideas of Saint-Simon and other socialists.

In 1833, Herzen graduated from Moscow University without losing these student sentiments.

Arrest and exile

While still at the university, A. I. Herzen joined a circle whose members, including the writer, were arrested in 1834. Alexander Ivanovich was sent into exile, first to Perm, and then to Vyatka, where he was appointed to serve in the provincial office. Here he met with the heir to the throne, who was destined to become Alexander II. Herzen was the organizer of the exhibition of local works and personally conducted a tour for the royal person. After these events, thanks to the intercession of Zhukovsky, he was transferred to Vladimir and appointed as an adviser to the board.

Only in 1840 did the writer get the opportunity to return to Moscow. Here he immediately became acquainted with representatives of the circle of Hegelians headed by Belinsky and Stankevich. However, he could not fully share their views. Soon a camp of Westerners formed around Herzen and Ogarev.

Emigration

In 1842, A. I. Herzen was forced to go to Novgorod, where he served for a year, and then returned to Moscow again. Due to the tightening of censorship in 1847, the writer decides to go abroad forever. However, he did not cut off the connection with the Motherland and continued to cooperate with domestic publications.

By this time, Herzen adhered to more radical-republican views than liberal ones. The author begins to publish a series of articles in Otechestvennye Zapiski, which had a pronounced anti-bourgeois orientation.

Herzen accepted the February Revolution of 1848 with joy, considering it the fulfillment of all his hopes. But the uprising of the workers, which took place in June of that year and ended in a bloody suppression, shocked the writer, who decided to become a socialist. After these events, Herzen became friends with Proudhon and several other prominent revolutionary figures of European radicalism.

In 1849, the writer leaves France and moves to Switzerland, and from there to Nice. Herzen moves in the circles of the radical emigration that gathered after the defeat of the European revolution. Including meets Garibaldi. After the death of his wife, he moves to London, where he lives for 10 years. During these years, Herzen founded the Free Russian Printing House, where books banned in the homeland were printed.

"Bell"

In 1857, Alexander Herzen began publishing the Kolokol newspaper. The biography of the author testifies that in 1849 Nicholas I ordered to arrest all the property of the writer and his mother. The existence of the printing house and the new edition became possible only thanks to the financing of the Rothschild bank.

The Kolokol was most popular in the years preceding the peasant liberation. At this time, the publication was constantly delivered to the Winter Palace. However, after the peasant reform, the influence of the newspaper gradually declines, and support for the Polish uprising that took place in 1863 greatly undermined the circulation of the publication.

The conflict reached the point that on March 15, 1865, the Russian government made an urgent demand to Her Majesty England. And the editors of Kolokol, together with Herzen, were forced to leave the country and move to Switzerland. In 1865, the Free Russian Printing House and the writer's supporters moved there. Including Nikolai Ogarev.

Literary activity

A. I. Herzen began writing activity in the 30s. His first article, published in the "Telescope" of 1836, was signed with the name Iskander. In 1842 "Diary" and "Speech" were published. During his stay in Vladimir, Herzen wrote "Notes of a Young Man", "More from the Notes of a Young Man". From 1842 to 1847, the writer actively collaborated with " Domestic notes” and “Contemporary”. In these writings he spoke out against formalists, learned pedants and quietism.

Concerning works of art, then the most famous and outstanding are the novel “Who is to blame?” and the story "The Thieving Magpie". The novel is of great value and, despite its modest size, has a deep meaning. It raises issues such as feelings and happiness in family relationships, the position of a woman in modern society and her relationship with a man. the main idea The work lies in the fact that people who base their well-being only on family relationships are far from public and universal interests and cannot ensure lasting happiness for themselves, because it will always depend on chance.

Public activity and death

AI Herzen had a great influence on the minds of his contemporaries. Despite his stay abroad, he managed to stay abreast of what was happening in his homeland and even influence events. However, his passion for the uprising in Poland became disastrous for the writer's popularity. Herzen took the side of the Poles, although he hesitated for a long time and was suspicious of their activities. Bakurin's pressure became decisive. The result was not long in coming, and the Bell lost most of its subscribers.

The writer died in Paris, where he came on business, from pneumonia. It happened on January 9, 1970. Initially, Herzen was buried there in the Pere Lachaise cemetery, but later the ashes were transferred to Nice.

Personal life

He was in love with his cousin Alexander Herzen. A short biography usually does not contain such information, but the personal life of the writer allows you to get an idea of ​​\u200b\u200bhis personality. So, exiled to Vladimir, he secretly married his beloved Natalya Alexandrovna Zakharyina in 1838, taking the girl away from the capital. It was in Vladimir, despite the exile, that the writer was the happiest in his entire life.

In 1839, the couple had a child, son Alexander. And two years later, a daughter was born. In 1842, a boy was born who died after 5 days, and a year later, his son Nikolai, who suffered from deafness. Two girls were also born in the family, one of whom lived only 11 months.

Already in exile, while in Paris, the writer's wife fell in love with her husband's friend Georg Herweg. For a while, the families of Herzen and Herweg lived together, but then the writer demanded the departure of a friend. Herweg blackmailed him with a suicide threat, but ended up leaving Nice. Herzen's wife died in 1852, a few days after her last childbirth. The boy she gave birth to also died soon after.

In 1857, Herzen began to live with Natalya Alekseevna Ogareva (whose photo can be seen above), the wife of his friend, who raised his children. In 1869, their daughter Elizabeth was born, who later committed suicide because of unrequited love.

Philosophical views

Herzen (a brief biography confirms this) is associated primarily with revolutionary movement in Russia. However, by nature, writing was not an agitator or propagandist. Rather, he can be called simply a man of very broad views, well educated, with an inquisitive mind and contemplative inclinations. Throughout his life he tried to find the truth. Herzen was never a fanatic of any beliefs and did not tolerate this in others. That is why he never belonged to any one party. In Russia, he was considered a Westerner, but when he got to Europe, he realized how many shortcomings there were in the life that he had been singing for so long.

Herzen always changed his ideas about something if factors changed or new nuances appeared. Never been recklessly devoted to anything.

Afterword

We got acquainted with amazing life, which Herzen Alexander Ivanovich lived. A short biography may include only some facts from life, but in order to fully understand this person, you need to read his journalism and fiction. Descendants should remember that Herzen dreamed of only one thing all his life - the well-being of Russia. He saw this in the overthrow of the tsar and therefore was forced to leave his dear homeland.