In Russia and Austria-Hungary of the late nineteenth century, one may speak of the imperial biographies of elites. Their lives, careers, and self-perceptions were inextricably connected with empire. This volume looks into the influence of these mobile elites on the fundamental changes that took place in both empires during the long nineteenth century. Seventeen case studies reveal striking patterns in their mobility and career trajectories. The articles describe the nexus between imperial experiences, professional advancement, and individual self-conceptions. Finally, they examine the extent to which individual biographies were shaped by mutual perceptions and processes of transfer between these two major multinational empires in Central and Eastern Europe.

Autorentext

Tim Buchen, Europa-Universität Viadrina, Frankfurt/Oder; Malte Rolf, Otto-Friedrich-Universität, Bamberg.

Klappentext

Der Band stellt die Karrieren mobiler Eliten und ihren Einfluss auf Wandlungsprozesse im russischen und österreichisch-ungarischen Reich in der zweiten Hälfte des 19. Jahrhunderts vor. Mit dem Konzept der imperialen Biographien werden die Verflechtungen zwischen den Imperien und individuellen Lebenswegen von Experten sowie deren persönliche Ausdeutungen von Erfahrungen in unterschiedlichen multiethnischen Kontexten sichtbar.