One of the most-famous dictators in history, Joseph Stalin ruled the USSR for more than 30 years - and ordered the murder of up to 50million people. But, although he is now known as "Stalin", the Soviet leader's original name was actually Ioseb Besarionis dze Jugashvili - a Georgian name he was given after being born in Gori in December 1878. However, taking inspiration from Bolshevik revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin, Jugashvili decided to begin using an alias from around 1910 - using the pen name "Stalin" in his writings. "Stalin" roughly translates as "man of steel" - a nickname by which he became associated with during his time as leader of the USSR - and, as well as attempting to further cement the hardline image he was creating for himself in 1910, the revolutionary also hoped to hide his true identity from the police while he plotted the downfall of the Russian Empire.
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
