The British historian Edward Carr: a transformation of scientific interests in Russian studies

This article analyzes the transformation of the scientific interests of the British historian Edward Carr (1892-1982). Some aspects of the historian’s biography, which contributed to this transformation, are analyzed from the perspective of intellectual history. Initially, Carr published biographical works on the history of Russian literature and the revolutionary movement in Russia in the 19th century. However, he then began to work on research in international relations of the first half of the 20th century and on the history of the initial period of the formation and development of Soviet Russia. The main factors that influenced the transformation of Carr’s scientific interests are first, Carr’s study of the Russian language when he worked as a diplomatic official in Riga; second, his interest in Marxist theory and his trips to the USSR (in 1927 and 1937), where this theory was put into practice in some form; thirdly, the Second World War and its consequences and the role of the Soviet Union in this conflict; and finally, the role played by Carr’s social circle, which included people of left-wing views from Russia.