Born in Moscow on December 21, 1842 to an aristocratic family, Kropotkin was educated in Saint Petersburg at a select military school where his interests in Russian politics and natural science became firm, he chose service with a Siberian regiment where his experiences in studying reform were to shape his thought. As an official in Siberia, in 1862, he made important geographical and anthropological investigations that yielded valuable geographic information. In 1867 Kropotkin returned to Saint Petersburg, where he was appointed an official of the Russian Geographic Society. On behalf of the society he explored the glaciers of Finland and Sweden between 1871 and 1873. He made a reputation in science and in his thirtieth year was faced with the decision of proceeding with his career or indulging political impulses. Here is an extract from his Memoirs of a Revolutionist:

...I recieved a telegram from the Geographical Society: "The council begs you to accept the position of secretary to the Society." At the same time the outgoing secretary urged me to accept the proposal.

My hopes were realised. But in the meantime other thoughts and other longings had pervaded my mind. I seriously thought over the reply, and wired, "Most cordial thanks, but cannot accept."

Later in his Memoirs he explains:

But what right had I to these highest joys, when all around me was nothing but misery and struggle for a moldy bit of bread; when whatsoever I should spend to enable me to live in that world of higher emotions must needs be taken from the very mouths of those who grew the wheat and had not bread enough for their children?

During his geographical research, Kropotkin also studied the writings of the leading political theorists and eventually adopted socialist revolutionary views. Kropotkin joined the International in 1872 but was soon disappointed with its limitations. The well-known events that led to a split brought the International to two opposite paths. The federative and libertarian wing drew Kropotkin's loyalties.

He returned to Russia, after having fully worked out his theories, and he began to disseminate anarchist propaganda. In 1874 was arrested and imprisoned in the Fortress of St. Peter and St. Paul:

"the terrible fortress where so much of the true strength of Russia had perished during the last two centuries, and the very name of which is uttered in St. Petersburg in a hushed voice."[Memoirs]

After a dramatic escape in 1876 he made his way to England and then to Switzerland to rejoin the Jura Federation, to Paris and back to Switzerland to edit Le Revolte.

The assassination of the Czar led to his expulsion. He fled to England and resumed his researches on the French Revolution. Discouraged by the political atmosphere, he and his wife returned to Paris. With others they were arrested in 1882 and tried in a spectacular public trial in which the accused conducted a brilliant defense enabling them to preach anarchism to Europe.

In 1883 he was again arrested and sentenced to five years' imprisonment for anarchistic activities. He was released after three years and thereafter lived and worked in England for 30 years.

Returning to Russia after the 1905 Revolution, the remainder of his life was devoted to his writings. He was disgusted by the anti-socialist counter-revolutionary actions of Lenin, about whom he had the following things to say:

"Lenin is not comparable to any revolutionary figure in history. Revolutionaries have had ideals. Lenin has none."

"Vladimir Ilyich [Lenin], your concrete actions are completely unworthy of the ideas you pretend to hold."

Kropotkin died at Dmitrov near Moscow on February 8, 1921.