# M. Gessen

> Russian-American journalist and activist

**Wikidata**: [Q441226](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q441226)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M._Gessen)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/m-gessen

## Summary
M. Gessen is a Russian-American journalist, author, and activist known for their critical reporting on Russian politics and LGBTQ+ rights. Born in the Soviet Union and later emigrating to the United States, Gessen has become a prominent voice in both Russian and American media, writing extensively for publications like The New Yorker and authoring several influential books on authoritarianism and political dissent.

## Biography
- Born: January 13, 1967
- Nationality: Russian-American
- Education: Amherst College (Massachusetts)
- Known for: Investigative journalism on Russian politics, LGBTQ+ activism, and writing on authoritarianism
- Employer(s): The New Yorker, former staff writer at The New York Times
- Field(s): Journalism, political commentary, LGBTQ+ rights activism, academic writing

## Contributions
M. Gessen has authored numerous influential books including "The Man Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin" (2012), "The Future Is History: How Totalitarianism Reclaimed Russia" (2017), which won the National Book Award, and "Surviving Autocracy" (2020). They have written extensively for The New Yorker, The New York Times, and other major publications, providing critical analysis of Russian politics and the rise of authoritarianism globally. Gessen has also translated works from Russian to English and has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, particularly in Russia where they faced persecution for their activism.

## FAQs
**What is M. Gessen's background and how did they become a journalist?**
M. Gessen was born in the Soviet Union in 1967 and emigrated to the United States with their family as a teenager. They studied at Amherst College and began their career in journalism in the 1990s, initially working in Russia before establishing themselves as a prominent voice in American media.

**What are M. Gessen's most notable works?**
Gessen's most acclaimed works include "The Future Is History: How Totalitarianism Reclaimed Russia," which won the 2017 National Book Award, "The Man Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin," and "Surviving Autocracy," which examines the Trump presidency through the lens of authoritarian regimes.

**What is M. Gessen's role in LGBTQ+ activism?**
As an openly gay person who grew up in the Soviet Union and later worked in Russia, Gessen has been a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. They have written extensively about the persecution of LGBTQ+ people in Russia and have been involved in various advocacy efforts, including speaking out against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.

**Where has M. Gessen worked professionally?**
Gessen has been a staff writer at The New Yorker since 2017 and previously worked as a staff writer at The New York Times. They have also contributed to numerous other publications including The New York Review of Books, Vanity Fair, and Slate.

## Why They Matter
M. Gessen matters because they have provided some of the most incisive and influential analysis of Russian politics and the global rise of authoritarianism. Their work bridges Russian and American perspectives, offering unique insights into how democratic institutions can be undermined. As both a journalist and an activist, Gessen has helped shape public understanding of complex geopolitical issues while also advocating for marginalized communities, particularly LGBTQ+ people facing persecution in Russia and elsewhere.

## Notable For
- Winning the 2017 National Book Award for Nonfiction
- Being a staff writer at The New Yorker
- Authoring multiple critically acclaimed books on Russian politics and authoritarianism
- Translating works from Russian to English
- Being a prominent LGBTQ+ rights activist and advocate
- Providing expert commentary on Russian politics for major international media outlets
- Teaching at various academic institutions including Amherst College

## Body
### Early Life and Education
M. Gessen was born Maria Alexandrovna Gessen on January 13, 1967, in Moscow, Soviet Union. Their family emigrated to the United States when Gessen was a teenager, settling in Boston. Gessen attended Amherst College in Massachusetts, where they studied and began developing their skills as a writer and journalist.

### Career in Journalism
Gessen's journalism career spans several decades and continents. They began working as a journalist in Russia in the 1990s, covering the tumultuous post-Soviet transition. In the early 2000s, Gessen became increasingly critical of Vladimir Putin's government, which led to tensions with Russian authorities. They have written for numerous prestigious publications including The New Yorker (where they have been a staff writer since 2017), The New York Times, The New York Review of Books, Vanity Fair, and Slate.

### Literary Works
Gessen has authored several influential books that have shaped understanding of Russian politics and authoritarianism. "The Man Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin" (2012) provided early critical analysis of Putin's rise to power. "The Future Is History: How Totalitarianism Reclaimed Russia" (2017) won the National Book Award and examines how Russia returned to authoritarianism through the lives of seven individuals. "Surviving Autocracy" (2020) analyzes the Trump presidency through the lens of authoritarian regimes, drawing parallels between different forms of democratic decline.

### Translation Work
In addition to their original writing, Gessen has worked as a translator, bringing Russian-language works to English-speaking audiences. This work has helped bridge cultural and linguistic gaps, making important Russian literature and political commentary accessible to Western readers.

### Activism and Advocacy
As an openly gay person who has lived and worked in both Russia and the United States, Gessen has been a prominent voice for LGBTQ+ rights. They have written extensively about the persecution of LGBTQ+ people in Russia, including the anti-gay propaganda laws and the situation in Chechnya. Gessen's activism extends beyond writing to include public speaking and advocacy work.

### Academic Involvement
Gessen has been involved in academia, including teaching at their alma mater, Amherst College. Their academic work complements their journalism and writing, allowing them to engage with students and scholars on issues of authoritarianism, democracy, and human rights.

### Awards and Recognition
Gessen's work has been widely recognized with numerous awards. Most notably, they won the 2017 National Book Award for Nonfiction for "The Future Is History." They have also received the Guggenheim Fellowship, the Hannah Arendt Prize for Political Thought, and the Leipzig Book Award for European Understanding, among other honors.

### Personal Life
Gessen is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns. They have lived in both Russia and the United States, giving them a unique perspective on both cultures and political systems. Their personal experiences as an immigrant and as a member of the LGBTQ+ community have deeply influenced their work and activism.

### Influence and Legacy
M. Gessen's influence extends beyond their immediate field of journalism. They have helped shape how Western audiences understand Russian politics and the nature of modern authoritarianism. Their ability to draw connections between different political contexts—from Putin's Russia to Trump's America—has provided valuable frameworks for understanding democratic decline. As both a journalist and an activist, Gessen has demonstrated how personal experience and professional expertise can combine to create powerful advocacy for human rights and democratic values.

## References

1. IMDb
2. [Masha Gessen: "Dies ist das letzte Kapitel des russischen Imperiums". Der Standard. 2022](https://www.derstandard.at/story/2000135688871/masha-gessen-dies-ist-das-letzte-kapitel-des-russischen-imperiums)
3. [Source](https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/why-masha-gessen-resigned-from-the-pen-america-board)
4. BnF authorities
5. datos.bne.es
6. [Source](https://www.womeninjournalism.org/threats-all/russia-authorities-charge-acclaimed-american-russian-journalist-masha-gessen-with-spreading-false-information)
7. Czech National Authority Database
8. [Source](https://www.carnegie.org/awards/honoree/masha-gessen/)
9. [Source](https://www.literaturfestival.com/autoren-en/autoren-2017-en/masha.gessen.ref-en)
10. [Tucholskypriset. Swedish PEN Club](https://www.svenskapen.se/tucholskypriset-pristagare)
11. [Source](http://www.nationalbook.org/nba2017-winner-nf-gessen-future-is-history.html)
12. Guggenheim Fellows database
13. [Source](https://www.nw.de/nachrichten/kultur/kultur/23737103_Hannah-Arendt-Preis-fuer-Masha-Gessen.html)
14. [Source](https://wallenberg.umich.edu/news-and-events/masha-gessen-to-receive-wallenberg-medal/)
15. [Source](https://journalism.columbia.edu/chancellor)
16. Library of Congress Name Authority File
17. Virtual International Authority File
18. CiNii Research
19. MusicBrainz
20. Munzinger Personen
21. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
22. CONOR.SI
23. Google Knowledge Graph
24. Quora
25. The New Yorker
26. LIBRIS. 2014
27. X
28. [Source](https://www.podchaser.com/creators/masha-gessen-107a99qiTj/appearances)