William Pokhlebkin
Encyclopedia
William Vasilyevich Pokhlyobkin (August 20, 1923 – April 15 (burial date), 2000) was primarily known in Russia
as an author of numerous culinary books. He was also an expert in the history of the diplomacy
and international relations
of Russia, as well as a geographer and a journalist.
Vasili Mikhailov (Михайлов Василий Михайлович). "Pokhlebkin" was Mikhailov's underground
nickname, derived from the word "pokhlebka" or stew
. Vasili named his son after Vladimir Ilyich Lenin (VIL is an acronym which turned into William).
He took part in the German-Soviet War as a private
. After his discharge from service, he studied at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations from 1945–1949, and later did postgraduate courses in the Institute of History of the USSR Academy of Sciences. He became a Kandidat
of Historical Sciences and a research member in the Institute of History in 1953. He founded the journal "Scandinavian Collection" ("Скандинавский сборник") and was its chief editor from 1955-1961. He was later a member of the editorial collegium of the journal Scandinavica
.
In 1968 he was labeled a dissident
because his book on tea was popular in dissident circles. He was barred from publication, thus was unable to finish his doctoral dissertation, and had to concentrate on his culinary hobby.
He was the author of over 50 books and a large number of articles. For a long time his books remained unpublished, and most of them were printed after the dissolution of the Soviet Union
. Printed simultaneously in large numbers they gave rise to speculation that "Pokhlyobkin" was a pen name
of a whole artel
of writers.
In 1993 he was awarded Langhe Ceretto Prize
, an international award for outstanding culinary writing, awarded by Ceretto Brothers winery
on the basis of recommendations of an international committee.
Pokhlyobkin was found murdered in his apartment, in Podolsk
somewhere between March 27 and 31, 2000. His dead body was uncovered by the chief editor of the Polyfakt publishing house, who was worried about the delay of the book Cuisine of the Century and came from Moscow to Podolsk to see Pokhlyobkin. A large number of his books on Scandinavian topics remain unpublished.
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
as an author of numerous culinary books. He was also an expert in the history of the diplomacy
Diplomacy
Diplomacy is the art and practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of groups or states...
and international relations
International relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
of Russia, as well as a geographer and a journalist.
Biography
William Pokhlebkin was born to Russian revolutionaryRevolutionary
A revolutionary is a person who either actively participates in, or advocates revolution. Also, when used as an adjective, the term revolutionary refers to something that has a major, sudden impact on society or on some aspect of human endeavor.-Definition:...
Vasili Mikhailov (Михайлов Василий Михайлович). "Pokhlebkin" was Mikhailov's underground
Counterculture
Counterculture is a sociological term used to describe the values and norms of behavior of a cultural group, or subculture, that run counter to those of the social mainstream of the day, the cultural equivalent of political opposition. Counterculture can also be described as a group whose behavior...
nickname, derived from the word "pokhlebka" or stew
Stew
A stew is a combination of solid food ingredients that have been cooked in liquid and served in the resultant gravy. Ingredients in a stew can include any combination of vegetables , meat, especially tougher meats suitable for slow-cooking, such as beef. Poultry, sausages, and seafood are also used...
. Vasili named his son after Vladimir Ilyich Lenin (VIL is an acronym which turned into William).
He took part in the German-Soviet War as a private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
. After his discharge from service, he studied at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations from 1945–1949, and later did postgraduate courses in the Institute of History of the USSR Academy of Sciences. He became a Kandidat
Kandidat
The Candidate of Sciences degree is a first post-graduate scientific degree in some former Eastern Bloc countries, such as Russia and Ukraine, which is awarded for original research that constitutes a significant contribution to a scientific field. The degree was first introduced in the USSR on...
of Historical Sciences and a research member in the Institute of History in 1953. He founded the journal "Scandinavian Collection" ("Скандинавский сборник") and was its chief editor from 1955-1961. He was later a member of the editorial collegium of the journal Scandinavica
Scandinavica (journal)
Scandinavica : an international journal of Scandinavian studies is a semiannual academic journal of Scandinavian studies first published in May 1962. The editor is Claire Thomson, lecturer in Scandinavian Film and Head of Department of University College London Scandinavian Studies.James McFarlane...
.
In 1968 he was labeled a dissident
Dissident
A dissident, broadly defined, is a person who actively challenges an established doctrine, policy, or institution. When dissidents unite for a common cause they often effect a dissident movement....
because his book on tea was popular in dissident circles. He was barred from publication, thus was unable to finish his doctoral dissertation, and had to concentrate on his culinary hobby.
He was the author of over 50 books and a large number of articles. For a long time his books remained unpublished, and most of them were printed after the dissolution of the Soviet Union
Dissolution of the Soviet Union
The dissolution of the Soviet Union was the disintegration of the federal political structures and central government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , resulting in the independence of all fifteen republics of the Soviet Union between March 11, 1990 and December 25, 1991...
. Printed simultaneously in large numbers they gave rise to speculation that "Pokhlyobkin" was a pen name
Pen name
A pen name, nom de plume, or literary double, is a pseudonym adopted by an author. A pen name may be used to make the author's name more distinctive, to disguise his or her gender, to distance an author from some or all of his or her works, to protect the author from retribution for his or her...
of a whole artel
Artel
Artel is a general term for various cooperative associations in Russia and Ukraine, historical and modern.Historically, artels were semi-formal associations for various enterprises: fishing, mining, commerce, of loaders, loggers, thieves, beggars, etc. Often artels worked far from home and lived...
of writers.
In 1993 he was awarded Langhe Ceretto Prize
Langhe Ceretto Prize
The Langhe Ceretto Prize is a literary award, introduced in 1991 and bestowed by a jury of international experts to books dealing with food and viticulture.-External link:*...
, an international award for outstanding culinary writing, awarded by Ceretto Brothers winery
Winery
A winery is a building or property that produces wine, or a business involved in the production of wine, such as a wine company. Some wine companies own many wineries. Besides wine making equipment, larger wineries may also feature warehouses, bottling lines, laboratories, and large expanses of...
on the basis of recommendations of an international committee.
Pokhlyobkin was found murdered in his apartment, in Podolsk
Podolsk
Podolsk is an industrial city and the administrative center of Podolsky District of Moscow Oblast, Russia. It is located on the Pakhra River...
somewhere between March 27 and 31, 2000. His dead body was uncovered by the chief editor of the Polyfakt publishing house, who was worried about the delay of the book Cuisine of the Century and came from Moscow to Podolsk to see Pokhlyobkin. A large number of his books on Scandinavian topics remain unpublished.