Leonard Bertram Naman Schapiro (22 April 1908 in Glasgow – 2 November 1983 in London) was a British propaganda agent, academic and scholar of Russian politics. He taught for many years at the London School of Economics, where he was Professor of Political Science with Special Reference to Russian Studies. Schapiro is an important figure in the study of Cold War propaganda due to his collaboration with both the CIA, and the Information Research Department (IRD), a secret branch of the UK Foreign Office which delt with weaponised disinformation, pro-colonial, and anti-communist propaganda. Historians Paul Lashmar and James Oliver have described Schapiro as a member of the "inner-circle" of the IRD's propaganda publication activities. Much of his work was secretly funded and promoted by the IRD, in return for his collaboration as a Cold War propaganda agent. After working with the IRD, Schapiro then continued publishing Cold War propaganda through the use of CIA front organisations.Schapiro was of Russian-Jewish background; his father, Max, was the University of Glasgow-educated son of a wealthy businessman who owned a timber mill and forests outside Riga, Latvia; his mother, Leah, was a Polish rabbi's daughter. Born in Glasgow, he was taken to Russia and spent some of his childhood in Riga (his father having taken over the family timber business) and St. Petersburg, when his father took a position in railway administration.
He returned to Britain with his parents in 1920 and completed his education in London, at St Paul's School, then at University College, London. He was called to the Bar from Gray's Inn in 1932, returning to the law after the Second World War until 1955. His fluency in Russian, German, French and Italian led him to work for the B.B.C.'s Monitoring Service in 1940; in 1942 he joined the General Staff at the War Office, and from 1945-6 served in the Intelligence Division of the German Control Command, reaching the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.Schapiro's most famous book was The Communist Party of the Soviet Union, first published in 1960 with a revised and expanded edition in 1970. He was chairman of the Institute for the Study of Conflict in 1970. He wrote many books about communism, particularly in the context of the Soviet Union. Shapiro's traditional liberalism alienated him from those scholars more sympathetic to the goals, if not the means, of Soviet socialism, such as E. H. Carr.
Schapiro also translated into English the novel Spring Torrents by Ivan Turgenev. After his death, some of his scattered articles were collected in the volume Russian Studies (1987).
He had married firstly, in 1943, Isabel de Madariaga, an historian of eighteenth century Russia; following their 1976 divorce, he married editor Roma Thewes.
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Some of their strengths
Leonard Schapiro has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Generous, Strong, Artistic, Passionate, Kind, Charismatic, and Energetic.
Strong and Diligent
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Leonard Schapiro is someone who is a strong, diligent, and trustworthy person who approaches life with honesty and perseverance, but who is also physical, sensual, and artistic. A person who is known for being a good partner.
Warm and Caring
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Leonard Schapiro well know them as someone who can be warm, caring, and compassionate, like a lamp or torch.
Courteous and Easygoing
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Leonard Schapiro as someone who is polite, modest, and diplomatic.
A person who tends to be socially popular, who loves intellectual or creative activities, who has a talent for communicating with and understanding the needs of others, and who seems to have a knack for getting recognized for their efforts.
Charismatic and Playful
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Leonard Schapiro is someone who is used to being the center of attention, and who has a playful approach to dealing with life.
They are also someone who is balanced, organized, and in-charge, and who loves traveling, working hard, and figuring out the patterns of things.
Patient and Compassionate
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Leonard Schapiro tends to be someone who approaches life with grace and compassion, and who has a powerful and commanding personality. Who can be analytical, patient, and deliberate, avoiding risks and seeking out stability instead.
Some of Leonard Schapiro's challenges
While Leonard Schapiro has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Leonard Schapiro can be Stubborn, Idle, Suspicious, Complicated, Brusque, Indecisive, and Materialistic.
Stubborn and Idle
One of Leonard Schapiro's key challenges is that they are someone who can be seen as stubborn and, at times, lazy.
Leonard Schapiro must also exercise caution as they can be excessive and unrealistic.
Indecisive and Materialistic
Leonard Schapiro is someone who can be indecisive, indulgent, and materialistic, who can have difficulty focusing on a single career or profession, have difficulty following orders or respecting authority, and who can suffer from "analysis paralysis".
Materialistic and Aggressive
Finally, Leonard Schapiro also can be materialistic, emotional, aggressive, stubborn, inconsistent, and be prone to big temper outbursts.
