Party Membership in the Career of a Soviet Engineer: the Fate of S. L. Buryanov

Abstract

The article uses archival materials to restore the biography of an ordinary Soviet engineer, whose career followed the requirements of the socialist state under construction. L. S. Buryanov is of interest in part because his diary adds new data to our picture of Blockade of Leningrad. Buryanov’s special education and professional career were closely associated with membership in the ranks of the Communist Party. However, party literacy and active participation in public life failed to protect Buryanov during the purge. Concealing questionable parts of his biography of the Civil war period and of his social roots led to the cancelling of his party membership and a long appeal procedure, in which by Buryanov received excellent evaluations for his business qualities and character. The restoration of his party membership and professional growth as the leading engineer for a large enterprise in the food industry could provide serious career prospects for the young engineer and party member. However, the loss of his membership card and concealing an incident in a local party cell, agains the background of repression in the wake of the murder of S. M. Kirov, led to expulsion once again from the party. Discussion in various party contexts did not restore Buryanov’s membership. On the contrary, it was a catalyst for his professional failure, provoked by alcohol addiction.