Physicians during the first Russian revolution

A century-old historical distance gives an opportunity to apply a balanced approach to evaluate the revolutionary upheavals of the early 20th century which have not lost their relevance to the present time. The article describes the social and political activities of physicians, one of the most numerous groups of the Russian intellectuals, during the first Russian revolution exemplified by the Pirogov Society, an authoritative medical institution. In general, the intensification of the role of medical community due to understanding the professional duty led the physicians to the opposition to autocracy. In political terms, the medical community was a combination of diverse forces distributed across the segments of the party spectrum which remained outside the party system. Most physicians adhered to liberal and democratic views. The left-wing representatives were directly involved in the events of 1905-1907. The deep political delimitation is a typical phenomenon for the Russian intellectuals of the early 20th century. The article is based on the documents and materials of the Pirogov Society and the memories of the revolutionary participants.