About James Guillaume
Lived 1844 – 1916 (aged 72). James Guillaume was a Swiss and French writer, historian, anarchist, translator and pedagogue.
James Guillaume (16 February 1844 – 20 November 1916) was a Swiss anarchist and writer who was a leading member of the Jura federation, one of the anarchist wings of the First International. Later, Guillaume would take an active role in the founding of the Anarchist St. Imier International.
Life Guillaume was born in London on 16 February 1844, the son of George Guillaume and his wife Marie Suzanne Glady. George Guillaume ran the London branch of a Neuchâtel watchmaking factory. His brother, also named George, would later become a communard.
In 1909, James Guillaume assisted Peter Kropotkin with the research in preparing his book, "The Great French Revolution, 1789-1793," particularly helping with regards to the resolutions (arrêtés) of 4 August 1789, where the Assembly declared that it is acting with both constituent and legislative power. Guillaume is said to have played a key role in Peter Kropotkin's conversion to anarchism.
Writings L'Internationale: Documents et Souvenirs (1864–1878), 4 vols., reprinted in 1969 by Burt Franklin Publishing, New York. Ideas on Social Organization Pestalozzi : étude biographique (1890), Hachette, Paris. Michael Bakunin, a Biography (1907) Karl Marx, pangermaniste, et l’Association internationale des travailleurs de 1864 à 1870 (1915), A. Colin, Paris.
He also edited five of the six volumes of Bakunin's collected works (in French), which included the first biography of Bakunin.
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Important facts
People in James Guillaume's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was James Guillaume?
Swiss anarchist (1844–1916)
When was James Guillaume born?
James Guillaume was born on 16 February 1844 in London.
When did James Guillaume die?
James Guillaume died on 20 November 1916 in Marin-Epagnier.
What was James Guillaume's occupation?
James Guillaume was a writer, historian, anarchist, translator and pedagogue.
What nationality was James Guillaume?
James Guillaume was Swiss and French.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). James Guillaume. https://biography.guide/james-guillaume/
MLA: "James Guillaume." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/james-guillaume/.
Chicago: "James Guillaume." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/james-guillaume/.
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