“Left” university professors’ political activity in Russia in the late 19th - early 20th centuries

The article investigates the political activity of the “left” university professors in Russia in the late 19th - early 20th centuries with reference to documents from Russian and Ukrainian archives. On the basis of numerous data the author offers an original classification of political activities the university professors were engaged in. A special emphasis is put on the professors’ attitude toward the student movement, their involvement in publishing activity, advocacy and raising public awareness. Moreover, the author reveals and examines the coordinated efforts of the Ministry of National Education and the Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in exercising control over the political mood in the academe laying off the most politically engaged professors. It is concluded that Russian university professors’ political activities led many of them to real politics during the Russian revolution of 1905-1907.