Andrei Sakharov

RIAN archive 25981 Academician Sakharov

Soviet nuclear physicist, dissident, and human rights activist

Andrei Dmitrievich Sakharov (21 May 1921 – 14 December 1989) was a Soviet nuclear physicist, dissident, and human rights activist. He is best known for his work on the Soviet atomic bomb project and his later efforts to promote civil liberties and reform in the Soviet Union.

Early Life and Education

Andrei Sakharov was born in Moscow to a family of intellectuals. His father, Dmitri Ivanovich Sakharov, was a physics teacher and author of popular science books. Sakharov showed an early aptitude for science and mathematics, which led him to enroll at Moscow State University in 1938. He graduated in 1942 with a degree in physics.

Career in Nuclear Physics

After graduation, Sakharov began working at the Lebedev Physical Institute in Moscow. In 1948, he joined the Soviet atomic bomb project under the direction of Igor Kurchatov. Sakharov played a crucial role in the development of the RDS-1, the first Soviet atomic bomb, which was successfully tested in 1949. He also contributed to the development of the RDS-37, the first Soviet hydrogen bomb, tested in 1955.

Dissidence and Human Rights Activism

In the 1960s, Sakharov became increasingly concerned about the moral and political implications of his work. He began to speak out against nuclear proliferation and the arms race. In 1968, he published an essay titled "Reflections on Progress, Peaceful Coexistence, and Intellectual Freedom," which criticized the Soviet government and called for political reform. This marked the beginning of his career as a dissident.

Sakharov's activism led to his persecution by the Soviet authorities. In 1975, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to promote human rights and disarmament. However, his outspoken criticism of the Soviet regime resulted in his internal exile to the city of Gorky (now Nizhny Novgorod) in 1980. He was not allowed to return to Moscow until 1986, following the rise of Mikhail Gorbachev and the onset of perestroika.

Later Life and Legacy

After his return to Moscow, Sakharov continued to advocate for human rights and political reform. He was elected to the Congress of People's Deputies in 1989, where he played a significant role in the debates on constitutional reform. Sakharov died of a heart attack on 14 December 1989.

Sakharov's legacy as a scientist and human rights activist continues to be honored. The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, awarded annually by the European Parliament, is named in his honor.

See Also

• Nuclear physics
• Human rights in the Soviet Union
• Nobel Peace Prize
• Perestroika
• Mikhail Gorbachev

External Links

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