Table Of ContentT F A L ,
HE RENCH NARCHISTS IN ONDON 1880–1914
Exile and transnationalism in the fi rst globalisation
This book is a study of political exile and transnational activism in the late-
Victorian period. It explores the history of about 500 French-speaking
anarchists who lived in exile in London between 1880 and 1914, with a close
focus on the 1890s, when their presence peaked. These individuals sought
to escape intense repression in France, at a time when anarchist-inspired
terrorism swept over the Western world. Until the 1905 Aliens Act, Britain in T
h
was the exception in maintaining a liberal approach to the containment L e
o
of anarchism and terrorism; it was therefore the choice destination of F
n
international exiled anarchists, just as it had been for previous generations of d re
revolutionary exiles throughout the nineteenth century. These French groups o n
n c
in London played a strategic role in the reinvention of anarchism at a time of , h
crisis, but also triggered intense moral panic in France, Britain and beyond. 1 A
8
This study retraces the lives of these largely unknown individuals – how n
8
a
they struggled to get by in the great late-Victorian metropolis, their social and 0
r
– c
political interactions among themselves, with other exiled groups and their 1 h
host society. The myths surrounding their rumoured terrorist activities are 9 i
s
1 t
examined, as well as the constant overt and covert surveillance which French s
4
and British intelligence services kept over them. The debates surrounding
the controversial asylum granted to international anarchists, and especially
the French, are presented, showing their role in the redefi nition of British
liberalism. The political legacy of these ‘London years’ is also analysed, since
exile contributed to the formation of small but effi cient transnational networks,
T F A
which were pivotal to the development and international dissemination of HE RENCH NARCHISTS
syndicalism and, less successfully, to anti-war propaganda in the run up to 1914.
C
o L ,
n IN ONDON 1880–1914
“A comprehensive, lucid and compelling study of the exile community.” s
t
Dr David Goodway, University of Leeds a
n
Exile and transnationalism in the fi rst globalisation
c
Constance Bantman is Lecturer in French at the University of Surrey. e
B
CONSTANCE BANTMAN
a
STUDIES IN LABOUR HISTORY n
t
Series Editor: Alan Campbell, University of Liverpool m
a
n
www.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk
Cover image: The February 1894
police raid at the Autonomie Club,
as depicted in The Daily Graphic.
Credit: © The British Library Board.
Daily Graphic, 19 February 1894
LUP, casewrap for Bantman.indd 1 11/03/2013 09:00:28
The French Anarchists in London,
1880–1914
Exile and Transnationalism in
the First Globalisation
sTudiEs in LAbour hisTory 1
Bantman, The French Anarchists in London.indd 1 11/03/2013 08:57:38
studies in Labour history
‘...a series which will undoubtedly become an important force in
re-invigorating the study of Labour History.’ English Historical Review
Studies in Labour History provides reassessments of broad themes along
with more detailed studies arising from the latest research in the field
of labour and working-class history, both in Britain and throughout the
world. Most books are single-authored but there are also volumes of essays
focussed on key themes and issues, usually emerging from major conferences
organized by the British Society for the Study of Labour History. The
series includes studies of labour organizations, including international ones,
where there is a need for new research or modern reassessment. It is also
its objective to extend the breadth of labour history’s gaze beyond conven-
tionally organized workers, sometimes to workplace experiences in general,
sometimes to industrial relations, but also to working-class lives beyond the
immediate realm of work in households and communities.
Bantman, The French Anarchists in London.indd 2 11/03/2013 08:57:38
The French Anarchists
in London,
1880–1914
Exile and Transnationalism in
the First Globalisation
Constance bantman
LIVERPOOL UNIVERSITY PRESS
Bantman, The French Anarchists in London.indd 3 11/03/2013 08:57:38
The French Anarchists in London, 1880–1914
The French Anarchists in London, 1880–1914
First published 2013 by
LiFvierrspt opoul bUlinshiveedr s2i0ty1 3P bryess
Live4r Cpoaoml bUrnidivgeer sSittrye ePtress
4 CamLibvreirdpgoeo Sl treet
LLi6v9e r7pZoUol
L69 7ZU
Copyright © 2013 Constance Bantman
Copyright © 2013 Constance Bantman
The right of Constance Bantman to be identified as the author of this book
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Bantman, The French Anarchists in London.indd 4 11/03/2013 08:57:38
Contents
Contents
List of Illustrations vii
Acknowledgements ix
General Editor’s Preface xi
Introduction 1
1. From the Socialist Revival to a Terrorist Epidemic: Anarchism
in the 1880s 13
2. The Francophone Anarchist Circles in London: Between
Isolation and Internationalisation 44
3. Exilic Militancy 72
4. Bombs in Britain? Realities and Rumours 103
5. The Road to the Aliens Act: The Anarchists Become a Political
and Diplomatic Stake 131
6. The Pre-War Years: Cross-Channel Networks, Syndicalism, and
the Demise of Internationalism 157
Conclusion 188
Select Bibliography 193
Index 213
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Bantman, The French Anarchists in London.indd 6 11/03/2013 08:57:38
illustrations
Illustrations
Cover: The February 1894 police raid at the Autonomie Club, as
depicted in the Daily Graphic (19 February 1894)
© The British Library Board
1. Flier advertising a meeting celebrating the Paris Commune in
London. Préfecture de Police, tous droits réservés, Paris 38
2. Charles Malato, in the French ‘Anarchist Register’ (recto and
verso). Préfecture de Police, tous droits réservés, Paris 47
3. Émile Pouget, in the French ‘Anarchist Register’ (recto and
verso). Préfecture de Police, tous droits réservés, Paris 48
4. Jean-Pierre François, aka Francis, in the French ‘Anarchist
Register’ (recto and verso). Préfecture de Police, tous droits
réservés, Paris 49
5. Dark, dingy, dominated by men and foreigners: the Autonomie
Club as represented in the Daily Graphic (17 February 1894).
© The British Library Board 81
6. The rallying power of anarchist elites and French revolutionary
culture: flier promoting an anniversary meeting on Bastille Day
(1893). Préfecture de Police, tous droits réservés, Paris 88
7. Louise Michel in London, with two unidentified companions,
Internationaal Instituut voor Sociale Geschiedenis (IISG):
International Institute of Social History, Amsterdam 89
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Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements
This book is based on a doctorate supervised by Professor François Poirier, a
wonderful mentor and friend, who would no doubt have been very happy to
see it published in Liverpool, a city he loved so much. I have also benefited
immensely from the suggestions and encouragements of Bert Altena, Dave
Berry, Michel Cordillot, Guillaume Davranche, Marianne Enckell, David
Goodway, Daniel Laqua, and Donald Sassoon, for which I am extremely
grateful. I would also like to thank Anthony Lorry at the Musée Social, for
many interesting discussions and countless research leads, and the staff of
the IISG (Internationaal Instituut voor Sociale Geschiedenis: International
Institute of Social History), the Préfecture de Police in Paris, and Colindale
Library for their incredible patience during my numerous visits. Dawn
Marley and Ajneet Jassey deserve a special mention for their advice and
support at a critical time. Angèle, Béatrice, Eve, Emmanuèle, and Christa
were very patient listeners throughout.
I would also like to thank Alison Welsby, my commissioning editor at
Liverpool University Press, who was so enthusiastic and encouraging about
my proposal from the very first day. Warm thanks are due to the British
Academy: the financial support provided by a Small Research Grant enabled
me to add considerably to the book version of my PhD and to explore new
perspectives.
This book is dedicated to my family. Tony, who has coexisted happily with
the French anarchists for close to ten years, deserves my endless gratitude.
Amélie and Benjamin, whilst not aware of all the time and attention taken
away from them by the French companions, have taken it in their stride, and
I am very proud of them for it.
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