The tumultuous events of a hundred years ago that we have come to know as the Russian Revolution were reported in the Australian press as strange, inexplicable events in a distant, foreign land – but one of the key figures in the drama of 1917 was later to forge a curious Australian connection.

Alexander Kerensky, one of history's intriguing transitional figures, took charge of Russia's tottering provisional government in July, 1917, succeeding the hapless Prince Lvov as prime minister.

Alexander Kerensky narrowly escaped the Bolsheviks during the Russian Revolution. Credit:AP

Kerensky, a lawyer, socialist politician and gifted orator, occupied the post for just three months before being overthrown by Lenin's Bolsheviks. Aged just 36, he was to spend the rest of his long life (he died in 1970) explaining, arguing and teaching about the historical turning point at which he was briefly at the centre.

For a time, Kerensky attempted to rally supporters in opposition to the Bolsheviks, leading an armed revolt in Pskov, which was put down. He narrowly escaped by fleeing into the countryside where he managed to hide until finding an escape route that took him to France, where he lived among the émigré Russian community until 1940. He travelled frequently to the United States, mainly to raise funds for the anti-Bolshevik cause, many of whose supporters saw him as the leader-in-exile.