Fyodor Afanasiev was a textile worker and an active social-democrat activist. In 1904 Afanasiev settled in Ivanovo-Voznesensk and remained involved in revolutionary activity in the city under his pseudonym Otets (father). During the 1905 Revolution, Afanasiev joined the strikes in Ivanovo-Voznesensk. On 22 October 1905 he was killed at a meeting when Cossacks opened fire.