1801-1825 Emperor of Russia.
Alexander, known as the “Liberator of Europe”, was the tsar who defeated Napoleon. He also promised to give the people their first constitution but instead, maintained Russia’s absolutist policies. The shadow of his father’s murder never left him.
Background
Lived: 1777-1825.
Alexander, who was raised apart from his parents, was the favourite grandchild of Catherine II. He received a very liberal education under his tutor, the Swiss philosopher Frederick Cesar La Harpe.
Rise to power
On the night of his father’s assassination in 1801, Alexander was present in the same palace. It is believed he had agreed to the coup under the condition that his father’s life would be spared.
When the conspirators returned after the murder, Alexander was standing by, his face pale. He was told: “Time to grow up! Go and rule!”
Personal
Alexander I had a changeable character. He always hesitated, was willing to please everyone, but never revealed what he really thought.
In childhood, he was torn between his father Paul and grandmother Catherine II, who both hated each other.
Alexander married Louise of Baden. They had two daughters, both of whom died young. Their marriage was stable, though he kept a mistress Maria Naryshkina.
Death
In his late years, Alexander withdrew from public life and found comfort in religious mysticism.
He died childless at the age 48 of typhus in Taganrog near the Black Sea. Some claim it was a hoax and that he actually lived out his last days as a monk named Kuzmich in a monastery.
Alexander I
1801-1825 Emperor of Russia.
Alexander, known as the “Liberator of Europe”, was the tsar who defeated Napoleon. He also promised to give the people their first constitution but instead, maintained Russia’s absolutist policies. The shadow of his father’s murder never left him.
Background
Lived: 1777-1825.
Alexander, who was raised apart from his parents, was the favourite grandchild of Catherine II. He received a very liberal education under his tutor, the Swiss philosopher Frederick Cesar La Harpe.
Rise to power
On the night of his father’s assassination in 1801, Alexander was present in the same palace. It is believed he had agreed to the coup under the condition that his father’s life would be spared.
When the conspirators returned after the murder, Alexander was standing by, his face pale. He was told: “Time to grow up! Go and rule!”
Personal
Alexander I had a changeable character. He always hesitated, was willing to please everyone, but never revealed what he really thought.
In childhood, he was torn between his father Paul and grandmother Catherine II, who both hated each other.
Alexander married Louise of Baden. They had two daughters, both of whom died young. Their marriage was stable, though he kept a mistress Maria Naryshkina.
Death
In his late years, Alexander withdrew from public life and found comfort in religious mysticism.
He died childless at the age 48 of typhus in Taganrog near the Black Sea. Some claim it was a hoax and that he actually lived out his last days as a monk named Kuzmich in a monastery.
Mikhail Speransky