What was Lenin's life like before he founded the Soviet Union and became a major political figure?

Not really that great. A wandering, impoverished intellectual, trying to gain a following. Mind you, it probably suited him, and it probably gave him a lot of opportunities and freedom to develop his ideas, and pursue his ideals. Still, it wouldn’t have suited most people, at all. Too poor, uncertain, and rather lacking in direction, despite his ultimate, long term success. https://www.quora.com/What-was-Lenins-life-like-before-he-founded-the-Soviet-Union-and-became-a-major-political-figure