O. K. Fonova’s relations with the old narodniks and members of the Socialist Revolutionary party in Russia and in emigration

Abstract

Aim. To undertake historical reconstruction of the main stages of life O. K. Fonova considering her relationships with the members of the Socialist-Revolutionary Party and other representatives of the Russian liberation movement.

Methodology. This article analyzes archival materials, including previously unpublished materials stored in the fonds of the State Archive of the Russian Federation and the Russian State Archive of Social and Political History, to identify biographical information about O. K. Fonova and others associated with her. Retrospective and biographical methods were used in the study.

Results. The work reveals previously unknown biographical information about O. K. Fonova, as well as introduces new factual data about the prominent members of the Socialist Revolutionary Party and other participants of Russian liberation movement into the scientific circulation. In the course of this study a general social portrait of the prominent representatives of Russian Neo-Narodnism was also formed, which contradicts their widespread purely nihilistic image in Russian historiography.

Research implications. The article presents new materials on the history of the Russian liberation movement related to various representatives of Neo-Narodnism and related individuals. The materials of the study can be used in further scientific activities aimed at the study of Russian history of the early 20th century. Furthermore, the materials of the article can be used in the process of teaching the discipline “History of Russia in the 20th century”.