In addition to Russian, which three languages did Vladimir Lenin speak and read?

Vladimir Lenin (1870 -1924) was a Russian revolutionary, politician, and political theorist who served as the head of government for Soviet Russia from 1917 to 1924 and for the Soviet Union from 1922 to 1924. In addition to Russian, he spoke and read French, German and English.

His life as a revolutionary included extensive travel throughout Western European countries. Additionally, for segments of time he lived in many different countries, affording him the opportunity to learn these additional languages. A partial list of European sites where he spent time includes London, England; Munich and Berlin, Germany; Zurich, Geneva and Bern Switzerland, Stockholm, Sweden; Paris, France; and Krakow, Poland.

His stay in many of these locations was for three distinct but interrelated reasons. First, he spent time studying in various libraries. Second, he completed some of his sentinel writings while in the libraries. Third, he was also meeting with sympathizers, dedicating time advocating socialist and communist interests while organizing cadres of supporters in these multiple locations.

More Info: en.m.wikipedia.org

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12 Comments

Nicholas Miernicki

Yes! Yes! He was a great guy! He traveled and liked libraries. They kind have left a few things out, like all the deaths he was responsible for. As an example, he called for the end of capital punishment, while, at his orders, the Cheka was summarily executing "class enemies" AKA people Lenin didn't like, on the street.

Iswardew Matai

These ideologies are very nice in written. But what everyone sadly forgets, is the human factor. If you start executing everyone opposing your ideology things can get ugly.

Char

Thanks Majority I had no clue

Howard Groopman

Wayne Roberts, Well, they're sort of isolated, but I've heard some Brits speak beautiful French.

Wayne Roberts

Howard Groopman, Except the British!!!!

John W Shreve

Howard Groopman, While makes sense, since if you drive 50 miles, you've been through three countries.

Howard Groopman

Unlike we Americans, many Europeans are fluent in multiple languages.

Steve Tingle

The man really responsible, lived, wrote, died and is buried in London, And is treated as a hero by most of the world - but his ideas have been responsible for more human deaths than anyone else in history through his disciples, Lenin, Stalin, Mao and many more. So maybe Lenin came to England to follow the footsteps of Marx.