# Nikolai Tchaikovsky — Memoirs of a Revolutionist character guide

> Nikolai Tchaikovsky in Memoirs of a Revolutionist by Peter Kropotkin.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Tchaikovsky, the Circle of Tchaikovsky, Nikolái Tchaikovsky

**First appearance:** 0033-i

## Snapshot

The gentle leader of the self-education circle that grew into a nationwide network of book-spreaders and, eventually, revolutionary organizers.

## Who they are

Tchaikovsky wins Kropotkin's heart at their first meeting, and their friendship lasts twenty-seven years. He leads a small group of young men and women — including Sophie Peróvskaya — who unite for self-improvement and then find their work in spreading good books across the provinces, deliberately rejecting Nechayev's deceitful conspiratorial methods. He matters because his circle, built on the idea that a morally developed individual must be the foundation of any organization, becomes the seedbed of the remarkable men and women who later fight autocracy.

## Relationships

### [Peter Kropotkin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_revolutionist_se/characters/peter_kropotkin)

_friendship_

Tchaikovsky was a fellow revolutionary and founder of the Tchaikovsky Circle, with whom Kropotkin worked closely.

### [Peter Kropotkin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_revolutionist_se/characters/peter_kropotkin)

_friendship_

Tchaikovsky was a fellow revolutionary and founder of the Tchaikovsky Circle, with whom Kropotkin worked closely.

## In the story

### [Memoirs of a Revolutionist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_revolutionist_se/chapters/memoirs-of-a-revolutionist)

Leader of the Circle of Tchaikovsky, which influenced Kropotkin's early revolutionary activities.

### [Entering the Corps of Pages](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_revolutionist_se/chapters/x)

Not directly mentioned, but the 'Circle of Tchaikovsky' is referenced in the context of the rival journal's critic.

### [Part II: The Corps of Pages](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_revolutionist_se/chapters/part-ii-the-corps-of-pages)

Mentioned as a figure in revolutionary circles that Kropotkin later encounters.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_revolutionist_se/chapters/i)

Mentioned as a leader of the 'Circle of Tchaikovsky' in the context of the new spirit among students.

### [The Polish Insurrection and Its Aftermath](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_revolutionist_se/chapters/iii)

Russian refugee who attended the meeting with Kennan in London.

### [Part IV: St. Petersburg; First Journey to Western Europe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_revolutionist_se/chapters/part-iv-st-petersburg-first-journey-to-western-europe)

Leader of the Circle of Tchaikovsky, which Kropotkin joins.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_revolutionist_se/chapters/vii)

Mentioned as co-founder of a secret meeting circle with Kropotkin in a former family house.

### [The International Workingmen's Association and the Call to Revolution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_revolutionist_se/chapters/viii)

Implied as part of the Russian friends who encouraged Kropotkin to immerse himself in the workers' movement.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_revolutionist_se/chapters/xiii)

Founding member of the Circle of Tchaikovsky; Kropotkin's friendship with him remains unshaken for 27 years.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_revolutionist_se/chapters/xiv)

Leader of the Tchaikovsky Circle; arrested twice for distributing censored books.

### [The Net Tightens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_revolutionist_se/chapters/xvi)

Mentioned as being in the south during the crackdown; Kropotkin refuses to confirm knowing him during interrogation.

### [Exile in London and the Dawning of English Socialism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_revolutionist_se/chapters/x)

Kropotkin's comrade in London; together they conduct socialist propaganda among workers.

### [Release and Renewal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_revolutionist_se/chapters/xv)

Old friend in London; helped Kropotkin make furniture for his cottage at Harrow.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_revolutionist_se/characters/nikolai_tchaikovsky
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_revolutionist_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_a_revolutionist_se/characters