Background
Tyrkova-Williams, Ariadna was born on November 2, 1869 in Okhta (Petersburg). Daughter of a land-owner.
Tyrkova-Williams, Ariadna was born on November 2, 1869 in Okhta (Petersburg). Daughter of a land-owner.
Educated at Petersburg High School.
Grew up on the Vergezha estate near Novgorod. Childhood friend of N. Krupskaia, Lenin’s future wife. Expelled from the high school (her brother helped organize the assassination of Alexander II).
Married ship’s engineer A. Borman, 1890. After her divorce, 1897, became known as a journalist, writing in many newspapers. Took up politics. Arrested, 1903, for smuggling revolutionary literature, sentenced to 2 years, but instead went abroad.
Settled in Stuttgart with P.Struve, worked in his newspaper Osvobozhdenie. Met the New Zealander Harold Williams, who was with Struve as The Times correspondent. Moved with Struve’s paper to Paris, and returned after the 1905 Revolution to Russia.
Became a member of the Central Committee of the Cadets (the only woman, nicknamed ‘the only real man’ in the Committee). Married H. Williams, who had become correspondent in Russia (and for a short time in Turkey) for British newspapers. Became a British citizen.
During the Civil War, active supporter of the White Armies. Between the world wars, lived in London, where H. Williams was leader-writer and foreign editor of The Times. Actively opposed any communist influence.
Tried to draw the attention of world opinion to slave labour in the USSR in the 1930s (unsuccessfully). During World War II, lived with her son in Southern France. After World War II, settled in the USA, 1951.
Active in the Russian emigre press and in social work, especially in the resettling of Russian refugees of World War II.
Religion is bad because it doesn't give equal treatment to women and thus offends basic human rights.
Communist party could initiate policies in the name of the society because it knows what the best is for its progress and development.