Johann
Most, the illegitimate son of a clerk and governess, was born in Augsburg,
Germany, in 1846. his mother died when he was a child and he was brought
up by a stepmother who treated him badly. He also suffered from a
disease that badly disfigured his face.
In 1867 he moved to Vienna where he joined the International Working
Men's Association (the First International). A committed socialist
he became a well-known street orator. Most was jailed three times
for his political activities and in 1871 he was deported from Austria.
Most returned to Germany where he worked as a journalist. In 1874
he was elected to the German Reichstag
but after the passing of anti-socialist laws he was forced to flee
the country.
In 1878 Most arrived in London where he
converted to anarchism. The following
year he began publishing Die Freiheit.
When Most published an article in 1881 praising the assassination
of Tsar Alexander II of Russia, he was arrested and sent to prison
for 18 months.
When Most was released from prison in 1882 he emigrated to the United
States and settled in Chicago. Most continued
to publish Die Freiheit and soon became the best known anarchist
in America. He argued that the state should be ruled by a collective
group of citizens. He believed that before this could happen that
people would have to use violence to overthrow the government. Most's
notoriety grew with the publication of his book The
Science of Revolutionary Warfare
(1885).
Most met the Russian immigrantEmma
Goldman in 1889 and the two travelled the country making speeches
on politics. They also co-authored the book Anarchy
Defended by Anarchists (1896). However the two fell out
over Most's criticism of her companion, Alexander
Berkman, after he attempted to murder the industrialist, Henry
Frick.
Johann Most continued to publish Die Freiheit
and books and pamphlets on anarchism
until his death in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1906.
Thomas Nast,
Johann Most, Harper's Weekly
(29th May, 1886)
(1)
Emma Goldman, Living My Life (1931)
My first impression of Most was one of revulsion. He was of medium
height, with a large head crowned with greyish bushy hair: but his
face was twisted out of form by an apparent dislocation of the left
jaw. Only his eyes were soothing; they were blue and sympathetic.
Most took me to the Grand Central in a cab. On the way he moved close
to me. Something mysterious stirred me. It was infinite tenderness
for the great man-child at my side. As he sat there, he suggested
a rugged tree bent by winds and storm, making one supreme last effort
to stretch itself toward the sun. The fighter next to me had already
given all for the cause. But who had given all for him? He was hungry
for affection, for understanding. I would give him both.
(2)
Emma Goldman, Living My Life (1931)
Hardly a week passed without some slur in Die Freiheit against
Sasha (Alexander Berkman) or myself. It was painful enough to be called
vile names by the man who had once loved me, but it was beyond endurance
to have Sasha slandered and maligned. Most, whom I had heard scores
of times call for acts of violence, who had gone to prison in England
for his glorification of tyrannicide. Most, the incarnation of defiance
and revolt, now deliberately repudiated the deed.
At Most's next lecture I sat in the front row, close to the platform.
My hand was on the whip under my long grey cloak. When he got up and
faced the audience, I rose and declared in a a loud voice: "I've
come to demand proof of your insinuations against Alexander Berkman.
There was instant silence, then Most mumbled something about "hysterical
woman," but nothing else. I then pulled out my whip and leaped
towards him. Repeatedly I lashed him across the face and neck, then
broke the whip over my knee and three the pieces at him. It was done
so quickly that no one had time to interfere.
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