Anna Michajlovna Evreinova (June 4, 1844 - February 13, 1917) was a trailblazing Russian lawyer, feminist, and literary editor. Her life was defined by intellectual defiance against the social constraints of
19th-century Russia.Partner Maria Feodorova
Queer Places:
Peterhof Palace, Razvodnaya Ulitsa, 2, St Petersburg, Russia, 198510
University of Leipzig, Augustuspl. 10, 04109 Leipzig, Germany
Anna Michajlovna Evreinova (June 4, 1844 - February 13, 1917) was a trailblazing Russian lawyer, feminist, and literary editor. Her life was defined by intellectual defiance against the social constraints of
19th-century Russia.
Yevreinova was born into a prominent family; her father was a lieutenant general and manager of the Peterhof Palace. When her family attempted to force her into an unwanted marriage, she resisted so strongly that it led to a suicide attempt. Seeking independence, she eventually fled Russia—crossing the border illegally—to study at the University of Leipzig. In 1873, she became the first Russian woman to earn a Doctor of Law degree, and the first woman to earn that degree from a German university.
Beyond her legal work, she was a significant figure in the Russian literary world. In 1885, she founded and edited the influential literary magazine Severny Vestnik (Northern Herald), which she owned and managed for its first five years. During her time as an editor, she corresponded with many notable authors, including Anton Chekhov.
Anna Yevreinova is recognized in modern historical accounts as a lesbian icon in Russian history. Yevreinova shared a well-documented, long-term romantic relationship with the Russian author Maria Feodorova. In the context of 19th-century Russia, they were regarded as one of the most famous lesbian couples within the literary elite.
Because their partnership was significant but historically marginalized, modern projects—such as the "To Russia with Love" photo series by artist Damian Siqueiros—have sought to highlight Yevreinova and Feodorova. These works aim to reclaim their legacy, portraying them as prominent figures in a lineage of Russian queer history and challenging the erasure of LGBTQ identities from the nation's cultural narrative.
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