Was Pyotr Stepanovich in "Demons" really connected to the international?

Question

In the book _Demons_ (by Dostoyevsky), there was a character, named Pyotr Stepanovich Verkhovensky, who claimed that he was connected to the international.Did Dostoyevsky mention anywhere in the book that he really was?

Answer 1

The writer used a real character, a revolutionary extremist Sergei G. Nechaev, to create Verkhovensky. You can find a lot of material about Nechaev, and about his relations with the leaders of Russian revolutionary movements abroad, like M. Bakunin (Paul Avrich's book). The connection to the 1st International could be drawn to Dostoevsky's character through relations of Nechaev and Bakunin (the latter is also known for his involvement in its creation and participation in its activity). I do not think that it was a direct mentioning by the author, at least, I could find only indirect pointing to that organization: 1) Part 3, Chapter 1. I; 2) Part 2, Chapter 1. III, conversation of Stavrogin with Shatov about Verkhovensky; 3) Part 2, Chapter 8, "Ivan Tsarevich"; 4) Part 2, Chapter 6, VII. Conversation of Stavrogin and Verkhovensky.