Alexander Berkman
Alexander Berkman – Life, Writings, and Legacy
Explore the life of Alexander Berkman (1870–1936), Russian-American anarchist and author. Read his biography, major works, political evolution, famous quotes, and lessons from his life.
Introduction
Alexander Berkman, born Ovsei Osipovich Berkman on November 21, 1870, was a radical thinker, activist, and writer whose life embodied the tensions and hopes of late-19th and early-20th century revolutionary movements. Though born in the Russian Empire, he emigrated to the United States and became deeply involved in anarchist politics. His writings—from prison memoirs to critiques of Bolshevism—remain powerful testimonies to the struggles for freedom, radical justice, and human dignity.
While history often remembers revolutions in terms of grand forces, Berkman’s life offers a more personal lens: the sacrifices, disillusionments, and moral questions that accompany a lifetime committed to ideals. Through his literary and political legacy, he continues to provoke reflection on power, violence, and the cost of dissent.
Early Life and Family
Alexander Berkman was born in Vilna (then in the Russian Empire, now Vilnius, Lithuania).
When he was still young, the family moved to Saint Petersburg, and Berkman received a classical education at a gymnasium. Mark Natanson, a Russian revolutionary, whose political engagement deeply shaped Berkman’s early thinking.
Berkman’s path was disrupted by personal tragedies: his father died when Berkman was still a teenager, and the family lost many privileges, forcing relocations and financial strain.
In his youth, Berkman was drawn to radical literature. He read Nikolay Chernyshevsky’s What Is to Be Done? and was captivated by its ideal of self-sacrifice and revolutionary life.
By 1888, at about age 17–18, Berkman left Russia and emigrated to the United States, following his older brother’s move to Europe.
Early Activism and Radicalization in America
Arriving in New York City, where he initially spoke little English, Berkman immersed himself in radical circles. Pioneers of Liberty, the first Jewish anarchist group in the U.S., which was affiliated with the International Working People’s Association. propaganda by the deed (violent action intended to inspire revolt), influenced by German and American anarchists like Johann Most.
In 1892, during the Homestead Strike—a major industrial labor conflict—Berkman attempted to assassinate Henry Clay Frick, industrialist and adversary of the striking steelworkers.
His trial was highly political. He refused legal representation, stating he did not acknowledge the authority of courts.
He served 14 years in prison, being released in 1906. Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist.
Writing, Publishing, and Further Political Engagement
After his release, Berkman rejoined the radical press. He worked with Emma Goldman—his longtime companion—in editing the journal Mother Earth. The Blast, which carried incendiary essays and critiques.
When the United States entered World War I (1917), Berkman and Goldman organized the No Conscription League, opposing the draft and U.S. militarism.
Because Berkman was not a U.S. citizen, under the Anarchist Exclusion Act, he and Goldman were deported in 1919.
At first, Berkman was hopeful about the Bolshevik revolution. He described his arrival in Russia as one of the greatest moments of his life.
His experiences and reflections in Russia led to his book The Bolshevik Myth (published in 1925). Now and After: The ABC of Communist Anarchism, a clear exposition of anarchist ideas designed for a general readership.
During his exile in Europe—primarily France—Berkman lived in difficult financial circumstances, working as an editor and translator, often dependent on friends for support.
Decline & Death
In the 1930s, Berkman suffered from serious health issues, including prostate problems, chronic pain, and complications from his harsh prison years. June 1936, he chose to end his own life. He attempted self-inflicted gunshot but did not kill himself immediately; he lapsed into a coma and died later that day. Cochez Cemetery, Nice, France (in a common grave, as he had expressed a wish to be cremated in Chicago but lacked means).
Major Works & Themes
Here are some of his key works and enduring ideas:
| Work | Year / Period | Theme & Significance | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist | Post-1906 | A searing account of imprisonment, the moral and psychological costs of state power, and the resilience of radical conviction. | The Bolshevik Myth | 1925 | A critique of Bolshevism from the perspective of a disillusioned revolutionary, exposing repression and authoritarianism. | Now and After: The ABC of Communist Anarchism | 1920s–1930s | A lucid presentation of anarchist principles aimed at broad audiences, defending the possibility of a free society without state or party. | Periodical essays, speeches, translations | — | In Mother Earth, The Blast, and articles, Berkman confronted issues such as war, propaganda, individual freedom, and critique of power.
Across his works, certain recurring themes emerge:
Personality and StyleBerkman was known for his intensity, seriousness, moral earnestness, and personal austerity. His devotion to ideals often demanded self-denial, austerity in personal life, and uncompromising stances. In writing, he combined passionate rhetoric, directness, and moral urgency. Yet he was also introspective; his prison and exile writings often reflect psychological struggle, doubt, and self-critique. His relationship with Emma Goldman was both personal and intellectual: they collaborated, supported each other, but also experienced tensions as individuals. Later in life, financial hardship, ill health, and constant movement took their toll on his spirit. His eventual decision to die by his own hand reflects how profoundly he suffered. Quotes by Alexander BerkmanBelow are several notable quotations attributed to Berkman. They express his political convictions, reflections on power, and moral dilemmas:
(Note: for some of these, attribution is indirect or through secondary sources; Berkman’s own direct statements are more prominent in his essays and letters.) Lessons from Alexander Berkman
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