Leonid Plyushch papers, 1970-2015

Collection context

Creator:
Plyushch, Leonid, 1939-2015
Abstract:
This collection consists of books, correspondence, documents, drafts, manuscripts, periodicals, photographs and printed material. The papers document the life and work of Leonid Plyushch (1939-2015), a Ukrainian political activist and mathematician, a member of the Initiative Group for Human Rights in the USSR and a victim of Soviet punitive psychiatry.
Extent:
8.5 linear feet (16 manuscript boxes, 1 tall manuscript box)
Language:
Ukrainian , French , Russian .
Scope and content:

Collection contains correspondence, printed and research materials, and writings of Leonid Plyushch (1939-2015), a leading Ukrainian political dissident in the Soviet era. He was a double annoyance to the Kremlin resisting their control over Ukraine and insisting on its sovereignty and cultural separateness from Russia. The collection also contains writings by contemporary Ukrainian authors, photographs, clippings of Leonid Plyushch articles in western and émigré newspapers, and posters. The date span of the collection is 1970s-2015. In addition to several boxes of subject files which reflect Leonid Plyushch political and literary activities, his papers contain his wife Tetiana Plyushch and his international supporters' efforts to save his life while he was imprisoned in one of the Soviet psychiatric hospitals. The Radio Liberty scripts also constitute a significant part of Leonid Plyushch papers and help to research his activities during the years of his French exile.

Biographical / historical:

Leonid Plyushch was born on April 26, 1939 into a working class family in Kirghyzstan (U.S.S.R.). His father was killed in action during World War II. In 1959, Leonid Plyushch graduated from High school and was accepted to the Department of Mathematics of Odessa State University. After graduating, he worked as a village teacher and then as an engineer-mathematician (1962-1968) at the Institute of Cybernetics of the Ukrainian Academy of Science. He took an active role in the Ukrainian national and democratic movement of Shestidesiatniki (Sixties activists) and played a role as a link between Ukrainian and Moscow Human rights activists. In 1968, Leonid Plyushch was fired from his job for condemning Moscow authorities for arresting and trial of Alexander Ginzburg. On January 15, 1972, Leonid Plyushch was arrested and charged for anti-Soviet activities. In July 1973, he was sent for a forced treatment at the Dnepropetrovsk Special Psychiatric Hospital with the diagnosis of "sluggish schizophrenia". He was held there until January 1976. He was forced to leave the Soviet Union against his will and the rest of his life spent in France. He died there on June 4, 2015.

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is located onsite.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms of access:

Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Leonid Plyushch Papers; Box and Folder; Bakhmeteff Archive, Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Location of this collection:
6th Floor East Butler Library
535 West 114th Street
New York, NY 10027, USA
Before you visit:
Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.
Contact:
rbml@library.columbia.edu