Background
VEL’TMAN, Mikhail was born in 187 in Odessa. Son of a Jewish office worker
VEL’TMAN, Mikhail was born in 187 in Odessa. Son of a Jewish office worker
Studied at high school.
While a student joined rcvol movement. Founded several self-cduc circles. 1892 arrested with some 50 other circle members and a large group of workers and sailors.
Charged with propaganda among Odessa proletariat and Voluntary Fleet sailors. Foreign 18 months in solitary confinement, then exiled for five years to Eastern Siberia. After his release moved to Kishinev, engaged for two years in underground work, then emigratet to Paris.
1903, after RSFRP schism, joined Mensheviks. Under the pen name “Volontyor” contributed to “Iskra”. 1905 moved to Saint St. Petersburg.
Editor, illegal army newspaper “Kazarma”. Welcomed December 1905 revolt in Moscow. November 1906 attended All-Russian Conference of Military and Battle Groups.
Soon afterwards arrested and imprisoned. After his release continued work in military organisation. Re-arrested but managed to escape and flee abroad.
Studied Oriental countries and consorted with Turkish, Iranian and Indian revol emigres. Edited their proclamations and contributed to their periodicals. Published a number of articles on Oriental problems in Russian and for journals: “Nasha zarya”, “Sovremennik”, “Ncue Zeit”, “Zukunft”, “Mouvement socialiste”, “Revue du monde musulman”, et cetera
During World War 1 took Internationalist stand. Contributed to Paris newspaper “Nashe Slovo”. After 1917 February Revol elected secretary, Organization(s) for Repatriation of Russian Emigres.
Helped study documents of the so-called “Black Cabinet” of the Russian Embassy, then returned to Russia. Worked for People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs. Attended Brest-Litovsk peace talks as an expert.
Foreign some years headed Main Committee for State Construction Projects. 1919-1920 Revol Military Committee representative for construction problems on the Southern Front. 1920, at the Congress of Peoples of the East, elected member, Council for Action and Propaganda.
From 1921 Collegium member, People's Commissariat of Nationalities. From 1921 head, Association for Oriental Studies. Company-founder and until 1927 rector, Moscow Institute of Oriental Studies.
Company-founder, Moscow Institute of Modern Oriental Languages. Lectured at higher institutions for Oriental studies and at Red Army Military Academy. Simultaneously headed Russian-Eastern Chamber of Commerce and edited journal “Novyy Vostok”.
Communist Party member from 1917.