Mihajlo Mihajlov papers, 1921-2010

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Summary

Creators:
Mihajlov, Mihajlo, 1934-2010
Abstract:
The papers consist mostly of writings and research materials relating to political conditions and human rights in Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union, and to Russian literature. Additional materials include correspondence, printed matter, and sound and video recordings.
Extent:
44 manuscript boxes, 23 oversize boxes, 1 phonotape reel, digital media (40.0 Linear Feet)
Language:
Mainly in Serbo-Croatian and English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Mihajlo Mihajlov papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

The papers of Mihajlo Mihajlov, a prominent dissident and author in the former Yugoslavia who was jailed as a political prisoner during the Cold War, consist mostly of writings and research materials relating to political conditions and human rights in Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union, as well as Russian literature. The papers also include correspondence, biographical material, printed matter, and sound and visual recordings.

The Biographical file contains records of Mihajlov's career and family, as well as documents relating to his political trials. The Correspondence includes both personal and business correspondence. A significant number of letters are between Mihajlov and his family during his imprisonment. Charles, Prince of Wales, also showed interest in Mihajlov's case; copies of some of his letters are filed in the correspondence.

The Subject files on human rights and dissident movements were developed by Mihajlov throughout his career. The files also include extensive material on Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

Speeches and writings contain manuscript drafts of most of Mihajlov's books and articles, as well as copies of his numerous published articles and interviews in periodicals in the United States, Western Europe, and Serbia, including Russian and Serbian émigré newspapers in the United States. The writings also contain notes, drafts, and collected research materials regarding his doctoral dissertation on Russian literature.

Biographical / historical:
Date Event
September 26, 1934
Born in Pančevo, Yugoslavia
1959
Graduated from Philosophy Faculty of Zagreb University
1961-1962
Served in the Yugoslav Army
1962-1963
Worked as translator and free-lance writer in Zagreb
1963
Assistant Professor of Russian literature and language at the Philosophy Faculty of the Zadar branch of Zagreb University
Summer 1964
Visited the Soviet Union as part of a Soviet-Yugoslav cultural exchange program and spent several weeks in Moscow and other Soviet cities
1965
Author, Moscow Summer
1966
Author, A Historical Perspective
Arrested and sentenced to jail for "slandering a friendly nation" with the publication of Moscow Summer
1968
Author, Russian Themes
1970
Released from prison
1970-1974
Worked as free-lance writer in Novi Sad, contributed to the world press, and drafted Unscientific Thoughts
October 1974
Arrested for essays and articles published in the Western press
1975
Sentenced by the District Court at Novi Sad, Serbia, to seven years' imprisonment on charges of suspicion of hostile activity against Yugoslavia and spreading hostile propaganda, arising out of articles published in the West
1976
Author, Underground Notes
November 1977
Amnestied before the end of his term under the pressure of President Jimmy Carter's human rights campaign
1978
Moved to the United States; received an award from the International League for Human Rights for outstanding contribution to the promotion and protection of international human rights and justice
1978-1985
Taught courses in Russian literature and philosophy at several universities in the United States and Western Europe
1979
Author, Unscientific Thoughts
1980
Recipient of the Ford Foundation Award for Humanistic Perspectives on Contemporary Society
1985-1994
Worked for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty as an analyst and commentator for intellectual and ideological affairs, in Munich and Washington, D.C.
1994-1999
Senior associate with the program on transitions to democracy, Elliot School of International Affairs, the George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
1999
Adjunct fellow of the Hudson Institute
2000
Visiting Professor at State University - Higher School of Economics in Moscow, Russia
2001-2010
Resided in Belgrade, published and lectured actively
2010
Died in Belgrade, Serbia
Acquisition information:
Materials were acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 1987 with an addition in 2011.
Arrangement:

The collection is organized into nine series: Biographical file, Correspondence, Subject file, Speeches and Writings, Writings about Mihajlov, Writings by Others, Card file, Oversize material, and Audiovisual recordings.

Physical location:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.

Terms of access:

For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Mihajlo Mihajlov papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Location of this collection:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives, Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003, US