Georgiy Mirskiy, Renowned Russian Historian, Dies at 89

On January 26, HSE Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs Professor Georgiy Mirskiy passed away at the age of 89. 

Georgiy Mirskiy was a well-known Russian expert on political science and Eastern studies. In 1952, he graduated from the Moscow Institute of Oriental Studies, and completed his graduate studies at the same Institute in 1955. His graduate thesis was on the modern history of Iraq, while his dissertation focused on the political role of the army in developing countries.

He joined the Institute of World Economy and International Relations in 1957, working his way up from academic research assistant to the Department Chief for the developing countries economics and politics division. In 1982, after the arrest of one of his subordinates for dissident activities, Mirskiy was dismissed from his position as Department Chief, but stayed to work at the Institute as Chief Researcher. He also taught at Moscow State Institute of International Relations, the Russian State University for the Humanities, and the Maurice Thorez Moscow State Pedagogical Institute of Foreign Languages. In addition, Mirskiy was a visiting professor at a number of American universities.

Professor Mirskiy joined the Higher School of Economics in 2009. His academic interests included Islamic fundamentalism, the Palestinian conflict, the Arab-Israeli conflict, international terrorism, and Middle Eastern countries. 

For three years in a row, HSE students chose him for the Best Teacher Award. ‘He’s impossible to replace, but in his absence we will try to uphold a level of education within the Faculty that would make him proud,’ the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs said on its website.

The Higher School of Economics mourns the loss of a dear professor and sends its sincere condolences to Professor Mirskiy’s family and loved ones.