Founders and Members of Vladimir Solovyov’s Philosophical Society
Vladimir Solovyov’s First Russian Philosophical Society was founded in St. Petersburg in 1897. The Russian Psychological Society was founded in Moscow in 1895. The two groups were closely related.
After Solovyov’s death in 1903, the society morphed into the St. Petersburg Religious Philosophical Society under the leadership of Sergei Bulgakov and embraced the Symbolists and Silver Age cultural artists. These meetings continued even after 1917 with Berdyaev’s Free Academy of Spiritual Culture and other such groupings up until 1922.
Because the original Charter of the First Russian Philosophical Society is not available, I have compiled the most complete list I can of the varied participants who are named as members. It is by no means comprehensive. At their height, almost 2000 people are known to have been members.
See: The First Russian Philosophical Society for a website that has renewed the society since Russia’s most recent Revolution from Within!
The associated journals between 1897-1917 were:
- Voprosy Filosofii (Problems of Philosophy)
- Put’ (The Way)
- Novyi Put’ (New Way)
- Logos (Logic / the Word)
- Rus (Russia)
“Separate meetings attracted the particular attention of the press and caused much controversy — for example, a session devoted to the book “Milestones” (April 21, 1909) or exclusion of V.v. Rozanov from members of the public (January 26, 1914). The audience was going so much that sometimes rented for meeting room does not accommodate all comers. Full house, according to the journalist, the meeting took place on “Milestones”(Vekhi), “the small hall was packed. People stood in the doorway, bunched up on the stage, huddled in the next room. On stage if was so crowded that Peter Struve and Alexander Blok, holding on to each other, sat on one chair.”[i]
The number of members of the Society grew steadily with each passing year. According to newspaper reports, in 1909, there were 712 people (87 full members and 625 associate members). By January 1, 1914 in society had grown to 1, 263 members, of which 149 were full members and 1,114 were associate members.
| NAME | DATES | DETAILS | |
| 1 | Aggeev, Konstantin Markovich | (1868-1920 or 1921) | Archpriest, Theologian. Exact date of death during Civil War unknown. “Soul Profile” |
| 2 | Alekseev, S. | ||
| 3 | Anichkov, Evgeny Vasilyevich | (1866-1937) | 101 works in 168 publications in 6 languages and 750 library holdings. History of Russian Literature,“New Russian Poetry” |
| 4 | Askoldov, S. A. | (1871-1945) | Foremost philosopher following Leibniz in Russia; Biographer of Alexei Alexandrovich Kozlov. Colleague of N.O. Lossky at University. Participated in Iz Glubiny |
| 5 | Batyushkov, Feodor Dmitrievich | (1857-1920) | Poet. Correspondent with Anton Chekhov. Son of Konstantin Nikolayevich Batyushkov who is said to have influenced Pushkin. Editor of the “Legal Marxist” journal Mir Bozhii (World of God) |
| 6 | Bazarov, Vladimir Alexandrovich | (1874-1939) | Russian Marxist revolutionary, journalist, philosopher, and economist, born Vladimir Alexandrovich Rudnev. Bazarov is best remembered as a pioneer in the development of economic planning in the Soviet Union. |
| 7 | Bekhterev, Vladimir Mikhailovich | (1857-1927) | Russian neurologist, psychologist and physiologist. Noted the role of the hippocampus in memory, his study of reflexes, and Bekhterev’s disease. Competed with Ivan Pavlov regarding the study of conditioned reflexes. He coined the term “invasion of the psyche” in the field of hypnosis, and was a teacher for the officers of the NKVD (KGB) before his death. Member of the Academy of Sciences. |
| 8 | Bely, Andrei | (1880-1934) | Famous Russian writer, poet and literary critic prominent in the Symbolist movement. Born Boris Bugaev, he was son of Nikolai Bugaev, who is regarded as a founder of the Moscow school of mathematics. |
| 9 | Berdyaev, Nikolai Alexandrovich | (1874-1948) | Existentialist and Spiritual Philosopher; Legal Marxists, Vladimir Solovyov Society, Free Academy of Spiritual Culture, Bratstvo |
| 10 | Bestuzhev-Ryumin, Konstantin N. | (1829-1897) | Professor of Saint-Petersburg State University; Chair of Russian History. In 1878 he founded and gave his name to the Bestuzhev Courses, “the largest and most prominent women’s higher education institution in Russia.” |
| 11 | Bezobrazova, Maria | (1856-1914) | A daughter of the well-known Russian economist and professional philosopher, who had brilliantly defended her dissertation at Zurich University, and was critical in getting the original Philosophical Society founded. |
| 12 | Blok, Alexander | (1880-1921) | Poet, critic. Leading Symbolist in the Silver Age. |
| 13 | Boborykin, Peter Dmitrievich | (1836-1921) | Writer, playwright and journalist. Elected honorary member of Russian Academy of Sciences in 1900. Attributed with coining the term “intelligentsia.” |
| 14 | Boldirev, N. F. | (1861-1920) | |
| 15 | Borodaevsky, V. V. | Poet | |
| 16 | Borodin, Alexander Kornilievich | (1863-1918) | Writer; Literary Critic |
| 17 | Bulgakov, Sergei Nikolayevich | (1871-1944) | Orthodox Priest and Spiritual Philosopher.Elected Head of the Bratstvo in 1924. Legal Marxists, Vladimir Solovyov Society, Free Academy of Spiritual Culture. St. Sergius Theological Seminary in Paris |
| 18 | Butlerov, Alexander Mikhailovich | (1828-1886) | Famous Russian Chemist; Member of the Academy of Sciences. Helped Solovyov with first effort to found the Society. |
| 19 | Chulkov, Georges I. | (1879-1939) | Literary Critic; Futurist; Later became Eurasianist |
| 20 | Debolsky, N. G. | Philosopher (Kantian) Epistemologist, Logician, Metaphysician | |
| 21 | Ern, Vladimir | (1882-1917) | Protégé of Vladimir Solovyov; Gnostic and Spiritual Philosopher |
| 22 | Faminzin, A. S. | (1841-1896) | Musician and Professor; Opera Composer; Member of the Academy of Sciences. Helped Solovyov with first attempt to establish the Society. |
| 23 | Fedorov, Nikolai | (1829-1903) | Famous Cosmologist and Futurist Philosopher; Spiritual Philosopher |
| 24 | Filippov, M. | Economist; Philosopher | |
| 25 | Filosofov, Dmitri Vladimirovich | (1872-1940) | Newspaper Editor and Critic; Lived with Merezhkovsky and Gippius |
| 26 | Fischer, Kuno | (1824-1907) | German Philosopher, Honorary Member of the Society; Neo-Kantian |
| 27 | Florensky, Pavel A. | (1882-1937) | Orthodox Priest and Spiritual Philosopher; Mathematician and Electrical Engineer; Inventor; Arrested in the 1922 wave but repressed inside of Russia, not expelled. Executed in 1937 by the NKVD (GPU/Cheka/KGB) during Stalin’s purges. |
| 28 | Frank, Semen | (1877-1950) | Spiritual Philosopher.Legal Marxists, Vladimir Solovyov Society, Free Academy of Spiritual Culture, Bratstvo |
| 29 | Frankovsky, A. A. | (1888-1942) | Philosopher and Translator; Member after 1917 |
| 30 | Gavrilovich, Osip Solomonovich | (1878-1936) | Pianist, Conductor and Composer; Settled in the USA after 1918 |
| 31 | Gershenzon, Mikhail | (1869-1925) | Contributor to Vekhi and Iz Glubiny, may have been member of the Bratstvo, edited the correspondence between Dostoyevsky and Solovyov |
| 32 | Ginsburg, Boris Abramovich | (1863-1919) | Social Democrat Revolutionary |
| 33 | Gippius, Zinaida | (1869-1945) | Literary Critic and Poet; Co-founder of Russian Symbolism with Dmitri Merezhkovsky (her husband) |
| 34 | Godlevsky, S. | ||
| 35 | Golovin Prince, F.A. | Leader of Kadet Party and President of the Duma after 1905; Presided over the dissolution of the Monarchy in 1917. | |
| 36 | Grot, Nikolai | (1852-1899) | Russia’s leading Idealist Philosopher; Chairman of Moscow Psychological Society and first editor of Voprosy filosofii |
| 37 | Heels, Sergei Rakhmanov | (1881-1919) | Russian religious and social activist; Secretary of the St. Petersburg Society 1909-1913. Mentor to Osip Mandelstam |
| 38 | Ilyin, Ivan Alexandrovich | (1883-1954) | Spiritual and Political Philosopher.Vladimir Solovyov Society, Vol’fila |
| 39 | Ivanov, Vyacheslav | (1866-1949) | Russian Symbolist Poet and Playwright |
| 40 | Izgoev-Lande, Alexander Solomonovich | (1872-1935) | Spiritual Philosopher & Journalist.Began as Marxist Sociologist; Bratstvo; Vladimir Solovyov Society |
| 41 | Iziumov, Alexander Filaretovich | (1885-1951) | Archivist; Specialist of co-ops & partner in Zadruga publishing co-op. Member of People’s Socialist Party |
| 42 | Kamenskaya, A. | ||
| 43 | Karinsky, M. I. | Professor of Saint-Petersburg Ecclesiastical Academy, Honorary Member | |
| 44 | Karsavin, Lev, Platonovich | (1882-1952) | Philosopher and Historian.Rector of University of St. Petersburg; Vladimir Solovyov Society; Vol’fila; Bratstvo |
| 45 | Kartashev, Anton, V. | (1875-1960) | Russian Journalist and Professor of Church History; First Minister of Religion under the Provisional Government.Vladimir Solovyov Society; Member of Kadet Central Committee 1906-1918 and one of co-founders of original Bratstvo 1918-1922 |
| 46 | Kerensky, Alexander | (1881-1970) | Socialist Revolutionary Political Philosopher and Leader; Head of the Provisional Government when the Bolsheviks took power |
| 47 | Kireev, Alexander A. | Major General of Cavalry; Newspaper Columnist; Patron of Solovyov and Dostoevsky | |
| 48 | Kistiakovsky, Bogdan | (1868-1920) | Legal Philosopher; Chair of Law at Kiev University; Kadet.Died before expulsions of 1922. |
| 49 | Kizevetter, Alexander Alexandrovich | (1866-1933) | Historian and Politician.Cadet, deputy at 2nd Duma; Vladimir Solovyov Society; listed in Frank’s correspondence as member of the Bratstvo |
| 50 | Kolubovsky, Y. N. | Member of the Academy of Sciences | |
| 51 | Koni, Anatoli Fedorovich | (1844-1927) | Jurist; Prosecutor-General; Member of Academy of Sciences |
| 52 | Kotliarevsky, Sergei A. | (1873-1939) | Russian Liberal Theorist and Kantian Philosopher. Participated in Iz Glubiny |
| 53 | Kozhevnikov, Vladimir | ||
| 54 | Kuznetsov, N. D. | (1850-1929) | Painter and Artist |
| 55 | Lappo Ivan Ivanovich | (1866-1924) | Historian; Sociologist. One of original members of the Bratstvowho continued in 1923. |
| 56 | Lappo-Danilevsky, A. S. | (1863-1919) | Historian |
| 57 | Lapshin, Ivan Ivanovich | (1870-1952) | Neo-Kantian Philosopher; Member of the Academy of Sciences.Philosopher, Professors Union Petrograd |
| 58 | Lavrov, Peter | (1823-1900) | Leader of the Populist Socialist Movement “Narodnik;” Philosopher and Sociologist |
| 59 | Lodyzhensky, Mitrofan Vasilyevich | (1852-1917) | Spiritual Philosopher |
| 60 | Lopatin, L. M. | (1855-1920) | Philosopher; Close friend of Vladimir Solovyov; President of the Moscow Psychological Society |
| 61 | Lossky, Nikolai Onovreievich | (1870-1965) | Idealist and Spiritual Philosopher.Vladimir Solovyov Society, Vol’fila; Bratstvo |
| 62 | Melioransky, B. | Geographer and Correspondent | |
| 63 | Merezhkovsky, Dmitri | (1866-1941) | Poet, Novelist; Co-founder of Symbolist Movement with his wife Zinaida Gippius; Spiritual Philosopher |
| 64 | Meyer, A. A. | ||
| 65 | Minsky, Nikolai | (1855-1937) | Symbolist Writer and Poet |
| 66 | Morozova, Margarita K. | (1873-1958) | Philanthropist and Patron of the Arts who provided the investment for many of the Religious Philosophical journals and publications. A co-founder of the Moscow-based Religious and Philosophical Society (1905–1918). |
| 67 | Muraviev, Vasily N. | (1866-1929) | Writer, Philosopher, then entered the Orthodox Monastic Orders of the St. Alexander Nevsky Lavra in 1920. Contributor to Iz Glubiny |
| 68 | Myakotin, Benedict Alexandrovich | (1867-1937) | Historian and Founder of the Popular Socialist Party; Worked closely with Struve and helped found the Kadet Party. Editor of Russkoe Bogatstvo (“The Wealth of Russia”) |
| 69 | Nechaev, A. L. | Member of the Academy of Sciences | |
| 70 | Novgorodtsev, Paul | (1866-1924) | Cofounder of Kadet Party, Legal Philosopher |
| 71 | Obolensky , Vladimir Andreevich | (1869-1938) | Religious Writer and Kadet Political Leader |
| 72 | Odintsov, M. V. | ||
| 73 | Oldenburg, Sergei Fedorovich | (1863-1934) | Russian Orientalist and Buddhist Scholar; Member of the Kadet Party and Academy of Sciences. VKPG |
| 74 | Ostrovsky, Mikhail Nikolayevich | (1827-1901) | Statesman and Minister of State Property |
| 75 | Petrazycki, Leon | (1867-1931) | Polish Philosopher, Legal Scholar and Sociologist; Leader of St. Petersburg Group (1907-1917) |
| 76 | Pogodin, A. | ||
| 77 | Pomyalovsky, Ivan V. | ||
| 78 | Prince Trubetskoy, Evgeny | (1863-1920) | Spiritual Philosopher with brother Sergei; Students of Solovyov; Vladimir Solovyov Society, Bratstvo, Kadet Party founder. |
| 79 | Prince Trubetskoy, Sergei Nikolayevich | (1863-1905) | Spiritual Philosopher with brother Evgeny; Students of Solovyov; Vladimir Solovyov Society, Bratstvo, Kadet Party founder. |
| 80 | Radlov, Ernest Leopoldovich | (1854-1928) | Ethician; Professor; Member of the Academy of Sciences; Became Chairman of the St. Petersburg Society after 1917 |
| 81 | Rozanov, Vasily | (1856-1919) | Controversial Spiritual Philosopher and Symbolist Writer |
| 82 | Saratonov, , V. V. | ||
| 83 | Solartinsky, S. A. | ||
| 84 | Solovyov, Vladimir Sergyevich | (1853-1900) | Founder of the First Philosophical Society in Russia; Member of the Academic Committee of the Ministry of Public Enlightenment; Inspired the renaissance of Spiritual Philosophy & Sobornost’ |
| 85 | Sorokin, Pitirim Alexandrovich | (1889-1968) | Sociologist; Secretary to Alexander Kerensky after the March 1917 Revolution; Ekonomist |
| 86 | Spencer, Herbert | (1820-1903) | English Philosopher, Honorary Member |
| 87 | Strachov, Nikolai N. | (1828-1896) | Member of the Academic Committee of the Ministry of Public Enlightenment who tried to help Solovyov set up the Society earlier. Close friend of Tolstoy |
| 88 | Struve, Peter | (1871-1944) | Legal Marxist became Kadet and Spiritual Philosopher; Vladimir Solovyov Society, |
| 89 | Sventsitsky, Valentin P. | (1881-1931) | Theologian and Philosopher |
| 90 | Sveshnikov, M. | Scientist; Chemist | |
| 91 | Taube, Mikhail | (1869-1961) | Statesman; Lawyer; Diplomat; Historian. Converted from Orthodoxy to the Russian Greek Catholic Church |
| 92 | Ternavtsev, Valentin Alexandrovich | (1866-1940) | Moscow group; Employee of the Holy Synod (Orthodox Church) and Spiritual Philosopher |
| 93 | Tolstoy, Lev Nikolayevich | (1828-1910) | Famous Writer, Honorary Member |
| 94 | Tugan-Baronovsky, Mikhail I. | (1865-1919) | Legal Marxist and Theoretician |
| 95 | Velikhov, | ||
| 96 | Vernadsky, Vladimir I | (1863-1945) | Spiritual Philosopher and Scientist. Colleague of Teilhard de Chardin; Father of George Vernadsky |
| 97 | Volkonsky, Sergei Mikhailovich | (1870-1940) | Leading Philologist; Created Actor’s Training; Associated with Diaghilev (Ballet Russes) and friend of Vladimir Solovyov |
| 98 | Vedensky, Alexander Ivanovich | (1856–1925) | Philosopher, Psychologist and Pedagogical Professor, 1st Chairman of the Society |
| 99 | Vysheslavtsev, Boris Petrovich | (1877-1954) | Spiritual Philosopher; Moscow group. Student of Paul Novgorodtsev and recommended by Berdyaev. Joined the Bratstvo in1924. Vladimir Solovyov Society, Free Academy of Spiritual Culture |
| 100 | Wundt, Wilhelm | (1832-1920) | Psychologist, honorary member |
| 101 | Yasevich-Borodaevskaya, Barbara I. | (1861-1920) | Researcher of the Old Believers and sectarianism. Revolutionary; lawyer; member of the Russian Geographical and St. Petersburg Religious-Philosophical Society, the Law Society at St. Petersburg University. |
| 102 | Yashenko, A. S. | Printer for Vladimir Solovyov Society, editor of Novyi Put’ | |
| 103 | Zelinsky, F. F. | (1859-1944) | Polish-Russian Classical Scholar and Greek Religion Professor |
| 104 | Zeller, Eduard | (1814-1908) | German Professor of Theology; Historian of Philosophy, Honorary Member |
[i] Translated by Polina Spirina , “The First Russian Philosophical Society”, http://www.spho.ru/ob_obshestve/angl
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