Igor Semyonovich Kon, born in Leningrad in 1928, became a pivotal figure in Soviet and Russian intellectual life by establishing sexology as an independent, interdisciplinary science. Throughout a career spanning over six decades, he transitioned from historical studies to sociological and psychological inquiry, ultimately challenging prevailing censorship and moral constraints regarding human sexuality and social behavior.
Early Life and Academic Foundation
Born in 1928 in Saint Petersburg, Kon lived through the transformative events of the mid-20th century, including the Siege of Leningrad. He completed his education at Herzen University, earning a history degree in 1947 and a candidate of sciences degree by 1950. His academic trajectory advanced in 1959 when he secured a doctor of sciences degree from Leningrad State University, setting the foundation for his later multidisciplinary work.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Professional Appointments
Kon held numerous academic positions across a variety of institutions. Between 1950 and 1974, he taught or researched at the Vologda State Pedagogical University, the Saint Petersburg State Chemical-Pharmaceutical University, and Saint Petersburg State University. He later contributed to the Institute of Philosophy and the Institute of Sociology, eventually serving as a chief researcher at the N.N. Miklukho-Maklai Institute of Anthropology and Ethnography.
Contributions to Sexology and Sociology
Beginning in the mid-1960s, Kon shifted his focus toward sexology, arguing that it transcended mere medical concerns. His textbook, Introduction to Sexology, published in 1988 and 2005, served as a foundational academic resource. He also authored works such as Sexual Revolution in Russia and A History of Classical Sociology, facilitating broader understanding of social development and human behavior within and beyond the Soviet Union.
International Recognition
His academic reach extended through active membership in organizations such as the International Sociological Association and the International Academy of Sex Research. He received an honorary professorship from Cornell University in 1989, a doctor honoris causa degree from the University of Surrey in 1992, and the Gold Medal from the World Association for Sexual Health in 2005. He was also awarded the Medal of the Order for Merit to the Fatherland, 2nd class, without swords.
Fast facts
- Born: 1928, Saint Petersburg
- Died: 2011, Moscow
- Academic Degree: Doktor Nauk in Philosophy
- Field of work: Sexology, sociology, and philosophy
- Key Publication: Introduction to Sexology (1988)
- Award: Medal of the Order for Merit to the Fatherland, 2nd class
Questions readers ask
What was Igor Kon's professional focus?
He was a polymathic scholar working as a psychologist, sociologist, sexologist, philosopher, and anthropologist.
How did Kon view the field of sexology?
He maintained that sexology is an independent interdisciplinary science rather than a restricted branch of medical practice.
Achievements
- Medal of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 2nd class without swords
- Held posts at Vologda State Pedagogical University, Saint Petersburg State University and Saint Petersburg State Chemical-Pharmaceutical University
- Fields: sociology, sexology and history
