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The Russian revolutionaries nearly stranded in London

In 1907, the men who would go on to lead the Russian Revolution met in London for a crucial congress.

In 1907, the men who would go on to lead the Russian Revolution met in London for a crucial congress.

But the revolutionaries – including Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, and Leon Trotsky – were nearly stranded after running out of funds.

The late British journalist Henry Brailsford played a key role in securing their fare home.

In 1947, he told the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ how the meeting marked a point of no return for the party’s two warring factions – the Bolsheviks and the Mensheviks – and ultimately led to the creation of the communist party.

Produced and presented by Vicky Farncombe.

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(Photo: A group of revolutionaries including Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin (centre) and Menshevik leader Julius Martov (on his right). Credit: Getty Images

Release date:

11 minutes

On radio

Mon 28 Jul 2025 07:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Mon 28 Jul 2025 07:50GMT
  • Mon 28 Jul 2025 11:50GMT
  • Mon 28 Jul 2025 17:50GMT
  • Mon 28 Jul 2025 21:50GMT
  • Tue 29 Jul 2025 02:50GMT

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