Sergei Skazkin

Born Oct. 7 (19), 1890, in Novocherkassk; died Apr. 14, 1973, in Moscow. Soviet historian. Member of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR (1958) and the Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of the USSR (1947). Hero of Socialist Labor (1970).

Skazkin graduated from Moscow University in 1915. He began teaching at Moscow State University in 1920, becoming head of the University’s subdepartment of medieval history in 1949. In 1962 he became head of the medieval history division of the Institute of History of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR (since 1968, the Institute of World History of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR).

Skazkin’s chief works deal mainly with medieval history, including agrarian relations and, the history of the peasantry in Western Europe, particularly in France from the 16th to the 18th century, heretical movements, absolutism, and the Renaissance. He also wrote on modern Western European history and on the history of international relations. Skazkin wrote and edited textbooks for higher educational institutions on medieval history and wrote chapters in the joint works. The History of Diplomacy (vol. 1, 1941; 2nd ed., vol. 1, 1959), World History (vol. 3, 1957; vol. 4, 1958), and History of France (vol. 1, 1972). He was awarded the State Prize of the USSR (1942), two Orders of Lenin, the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, and several medals.