Background
Zasulich, Vera was born on August 8, 1849 in village Mikhaylovka, Smolensk Province. Daughter of a nobleman.
Zasulich, Vera was born on August 8, 1849 in village Mikhaylovka, Smolensk Province. Daughter of a nobleman.
Completed private girls boarding school in Moscow.
1867 passed examinations to qualify as private tutor. For a year worked as clerk to a rural magistrate in Serpukhov. Then worked at a book-binding workshop.
Late 1868 met the revol Nechayev and served as his go-between to transmit correspondence. 1869-1871 imprisoned for her connections with Nechayev. From 1875 went underground and worked for Kiev Populist circle.
24 January 1878 shot Mayor of St. Petersburg Trepov. Her assassination bid and subsequent acquittal by a jury brought her considerable renown. 1879 joined “Chyornyy peredel” (Land Redistribution) Populist organisation.
From early 1880 in emigration, settled in Switzerland. 1883, together with Plekhanov, founded first Russian Marxist group — Liberation of Labor. Corresponded with Marx and Engels.
On friendly terms with Engels. Winter 1889— 1900 illegally resided in St. Petersburg, where she met Lenin. Member, ed staff, newspaper “Iskra” and journal “Zarya”.
1903, after 2nd Russian Social-Democratic Workers’ Party Congress, sided with Mensheviks. 1905 returned to Russia. Helped lead Liquidationists.
During World War 1 sided with Social Chauvinists. 1917 member, “Unity” Defensist group. Opposed to 1917 October Revol.