Historical Letters

Historical Letters introduces English-speaking readers to the seminal work of Peter Lavrov a key figure in Russian intellectual and socialist history. Lavrov's Historical Letters (Istoricheskiye pis'ma) represent one of the most influential philosophical and revolutionary texts of nineteenth-century Russia, reflecting his profound impact on both thought and social reality. Lavrov's writings, spanning philosophy and publicism, are cornerstones of Russian intellectual genius, yet they have remained largely inaccessible to English-speaking audiences.

This translation, the first of its kind, seeks to bridge that gap by offering Lavrov's most significant work alongside an in-depth introduction. The accompanying analysis contextualizes Lavrov's life, intellectual development, and the Historical Letters' enduring influence. Annotations provide further elucidation, and a curated bibliography highlights Lavrov's key writings and relevant scholarship. This edition marks an essential step in bringing Lavrov's contributions to a wider audience, facilitating a deeper understanding of his role in shaping Russian philosophical and revolutionary thought.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1967.