Sorokin P.A. (1889-1968), social revolutionary, sociologist

Categories / Science. Education/Personalia
Categories / Social Life/Personalia
SOROKIN Pitirim Alexandrovich (1889-1968), sociologist, holder of a master's degree in Sociology (1922). Upon graduating from the Faculty of Law of Petersburg University in 1914, he lectured at Psychoneurological Institute, National Economy Institute, Agricultural Academy in Tsarskoe Selo, and other institutions (in 1916 he was made privat-docent, and in 1920 - professor). One of the founders of Kovalevsky Russian Sociological Society (1916). In 1905-18 Sorokin was a member of the Socialist Revolutionary Party. During World War I of 1914-18, he was appointed member of several committees: Committee on Mobilisation of Economic Resources, Army Supply Committee, and other committees. In 1916, Sorokin lived at 13 Bolshoy Avenue of Petrogradskaya Side. In 1917, he was a member of the Executive Committee of the All-Russian Soviet of Peasants' Deputies, A.F. Kerensky's secretary for Science Affairs, member of the editorial staff of People's Cause newspaper, editor-in-chief of People's Will newspaper. Sorokin took part in the Democratic conference. In September 1917, became a member of the Provisional Council of Russian Republic (Pre-Parliament). After October 1917, opposed Bolsheviks. Sorokin was elected deputy of the Constituent Assembly. In January - February of 1918, he was incarcerated in Ss. Peter-and-Paul Fortress; after his release, contributed to P. B. Struve’s Vozrozhdenie newspaper and was a member of the Union of Russia's Revival. For the second time, he was arrested for an attempt to organise an anti-bolshevist demonstration in the North of Russia. In the late 1918, he disclaimed any political activities. In 1919-21, founded and headed the Sociology Department of Petrograd University; since 1921, lectured at the Institute of Sociology. Supported the shift to the New Economic Policy. In co-operation with I.P. Pavlov, Sorokin organised the Society for objective study of human behaviour. In 1921, jointly with V.M. Bekhterev, he studied the impact of starvation on human behaviour, social life and societal organisation. In September 1922, Sorokin was sent abroad. Lived in Berlin, Prague, since 1923 - in the USA. In 1930-59, held a professorship at Harvard University, founding and heading (until 1942) the sociology department that became a centre of sociological studies in the USA. He also was member (1959) and President (1964) of the American Sociological Association. Vice-President (1935) and President (1937) of International Institute of Sociology; President of International Society for Comparative Studies of Civilisations (1961); member of the World Academy of Art and Science (1964), etc. Sorokin wrote fundamental works on history, theory and methodology of sociology, and created an original conception of world history through development of human culture. Sorokin developed the social mobility theory and the theory of social stratification. His memoirs, entitled “Long Journey” were published in Moscow in 1992.

References: Дойков Ю. В. Питирим Сорокин: Страницы жизни. СПб.; Архангельск, 1992; Возвращение Питирима Сорокина: Материалы Междунар. науч. симпозиума... М., 2000.

N. B. Khailova. Bekhterev Vladimir Mikhailovich
Kerensky Alexander Fedorovich
Kovalevsky Maxim Maximovich
Pavlov Ivan Petrovich
Sorokin Pitirim Alexandrovich
Struve Peter Berngardovich
Дойков Ю. В. Питирим Сорокин: Страницы жизни. СПб.; Архангельск, 1992
Возвращение Питирима Сорокина: Материалы Междунар. науч. симп. ... М., 2000 State University, St. Petersburg
Bekhterev Psycho-neurological Research Institute, The St. Petersburg
St. Peter and Paul fortress
St. Peter and Paul fortress
1922