# Yakov Sverdlov > Soviet politician **Wikidata**: [Q298384](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q298384) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakov_Sverdlov) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/yakov-sverdlov ## Summary Yakov Sverdlov was a Soviet politician who served as chairperson of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee (1917–1919) and a key figure in the early Bolshevik government. He played a crucial role in the Russian Revolution and the establishment of the Soviet state, though his tenure was cut short by illness and death in 1919. ## Biography - Born: June 3, 1885, Nizhny Novgorod, Russian Empire - Nationality: Russian Empire → Russian Republic → Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic - Education: Gymnasium, Nizhny Novgorod Gymnasium - Known for: Leading the All-Russian Central Executive Committee during the Russian Revolution - Employer(s): All-Russian Central Executive Committee, Communist Party of the Soviet Union - Field(s): Political activity, Bolshevism ## Contributions - **Chairperson of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee (1917–1919)**: Oversaw the transition from the Russian Empire to the Russian Republic and the early Soviet state. - **Member of the Russian Constituent Assembly**: Contributed to the drafting of the Russian Constitution. - **Politburo Member**: Played a key role in the Bolshevik leadership during the Russian Revolution. - **Founding of Iakov Sverdlov Communist University (1918)**: Established as a Soviet university focused on communist agricultural studies and party work. ## FAQs **What was Yakov Sverdlov's role in the Russian Revolution?** Sverdlov served as chairperson of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee from November 1917 to March 1919, overseeing the transition from the Russian Empire to the early Soviet state. **Where was Yakov Sverdlov educated?** He attended the Nizhny Novgorod Gymnasium, a type of school providing advanced secondary education in Europe. **What political parties was Yakov Sverdlov affiliated with?** Sverdlov was a member of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party (Bolshevik) and later the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. **What was Yakov Sverdlov's cause of death?** He died from natural causes, complicated by the 1918–1920 flu pandemic, on March 16, 1919. **What university was named after Yakov Sverdlov?** Iakov Sverdlov Communist University, founded in 1918 and named in his honor, focused on communist agricultural studies and party work. ## Why They Matter Yakov Sverdlov was a pivotal figure in the early Soviet state, shaping its political and administrative structures. As chairperson of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee, he played a crucial role in the transition from the Russian Empire to the Soviet Union. His leadership during the Russian Revolution and his contributions to the establishment of the early Soviet government left a lasting impact on Russian politics. Sverdlov's work laid the groundwork for the Soviet state's early governance, influencing the development of the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic. ## Notable For - Chairperson of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee (1917–1919) - Member of the Russian Constituent Assembly - Founder of Iakov Sverdlov Communist University (1918) - Key figure in the Bolshevik leadership during the Russian Revolution - Died from natural causes during the 1918–1920 flu pandemic ## Body ### Early Life and Education Yakov Sverdlov was born on June 3, 1885, in Nizhny Novgorod, Russian Empire. He attended the Nizhny Novgorod Gymnasium, a type of school providing advanced secondary education in Europe. His education laid the foundation for his later political career. ### Political Career Sverdlov joined the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party (Bolshevik) and later became a member of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. He played a significant role in the Russian Revolution, serving as chairperson of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee from November 1917 to March 1919. During his tenure, he oversaw the transition from the Russian Empire to the early Soviet state. ### Leadership Roles - **All-Russian Central Executive Committee**: Sverdlov served as chairperson from November 21, 1917, to March 8, 1919. His leadership was crucial during the Russian Revolution and the establishment of the Soviet state. - **Russian Constituent Assembly**: He was a member of the Russian Constituent Assembly, contributing to the drafting of the Russian Constitution. - **Politburo Member**: Sverdlov was a member of the Politburo of the CPSU Central Committee from November 29, 1917, to March 16, 1919. ### Educational Contributions Sverdlov founded Iakov Sverdlov Communist University in 1918. The university was named in his honor and focused on communist agricultural studies and party work. It was dissolved in 1937 but played a significant role in the early Soviet educational landscape. ### Death and Legacy Yakov Sverdlov died on March 16, 1919, from natural causes, complicated by the 1918–1920 flu pandemic. His death occurred during his tenure as chairperson of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee. Sverdlov's legacy includes his role in shaping the early Soviet state and his contributions to the Russian Revolution. ### Related Entities - **All-Russian Central Executive Committee**: The legislature of the Russian SFSR (1917–1937), where Sverdlov served as chairperson. - **Russian Republic**: The short-lived republic that existed from September 1917 to October 1917, succeeded by the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic. - **Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic**: The sovereign state that succeeded the Russian Republic, established in 1918. ### Personal Life Sverdlov was married to Klavdija Timofejevna Novgorodtseva. He had a son, Andrei Sverdlov, and siblings, including Zinovy Peshkov and Veniamin Sverdlov. His family background and personal connections reflect his broader political and social network. ### Cultural and Historical Influence Yakov Sverdlov's contributions to the Russian Revolution and the early Soviet state have had a lasting impact on Russian politics and governance. His work laid the groundwork for the Soviet state's early governance, influencing the development of the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic. Sverdlov's legacy continues to be studied and remembered in historical and political contexts. ## References 1. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978) 2. Integrated Authority File 3. Czech National Authority Database 4. International Standard Name Identifier 5. Find a Grave 6. Croatian Encyclopedia 7. Historical Encyclopedia of Siberia 8. SNAC 9. Encyclopædia Britannica Online 10. BnF authorities 11. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 12. Virtual International Authority File 13. [Source](http://purl.org/pressemappe20/beaconlist/pe)