Panait Istrati Born Today

Posted by Kerry Kubilius Aug 10, 2007

Panait Istrati, a Romanian writer, was born on August 10, 1884. Known as an activist and a Communist, as well as a Romanian nationalist. Istrati was often compared to Russia's Maxim Gorky - one of the Russian Revolution's most famous literary figures.

Istrati suffered from tuburculosis, which may have contributed to his bouts of depression. Numerous attempts to cure his disease failed. However, ill health did not prevent Istrati from participating in strikes, traveling in the newly-formed Soviet Union or Europe, and making political statements through his writing.

Panait Istrati's initial enchantment with the Bolshevik vision evaporated once Stalin gained power of the USSR. Recognizing the effects of broad persecution across the Soviet nations and the difference between the Bolshevik ideology of the Russian Revolution and the reality of Stalin's brutal actions, Istrati became a Romanian nationalist. It was after Istrati's disillusionment with communism that he wrote a book entitled, The Confession of a Loser.

Istrati died in 1935.