Crossword Genius

Surround student, leftist revolutionary, inspiring each main troublemaker (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ringleader

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'main troublemaker' is the definition.
(eg the ringleader of a crime)

'surround student leftist' is the wordplay.
'surround' becomes 'ring' (synonyms).
'student leftist' becomes 'leader' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'ring'+'leader'='RINGLEADER'

'revolutionary inspiring each' acts as a link.
This may not be right. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ringleader that I've seen before include "Chief troublemaker" , "Mastermind" , "Main villain" , "One heading up illicit activity" , "brains" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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