Alexander Vyazemsky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alexander Alekseevich Vyazemsky
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| Born | 14 August 1727 |
| Died | 20 January 1793 |
| Citizenship |  Russian Empire |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Spouse(s) | Elena Trubetskaya (1743–1832) |
| Children | Praskovya Vyazemskaya, Ekaterina Vyazemskaya and Anna Vyazemskaya |
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Orders
Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First–Called
Order of Saint Vladimir Order of Saint Alexander Nevsky Order of Saint Anna Order of the White Eagle |
Prince Alexander Alekseevich Vyazemsky (Russian: Александр Алексеевич Вяземский) was an important and trusted helper of Empress Catherine II of Russia. He was born on August 14, 1727, and passed away on January 20, 1793. As the Prosecutor General for the Senate, he was in charge of watching how the government spent its money. People knew him for being very honest and not taking bribes.
Early Life and Military Service
Alexander Vyazemsky came from a noble family with a long history. He finished his studies at the Land Gentry Corps when he was twenty. This was a special school for young nobles.
During the Seven Years' War against Prussia, he fought in battles. He also carried out secret missions for the army. These missions were so dangerous that they almost cost him his life. By the end of the war, he was a Quartermaster General. This meant he was in charge of supplies and logistics for the army.
Empress Catherine II noticed him because of his skills. In 1762, she asked him to help solve problems between farmers and factory owners in the Ural region. He worked on this for almost a year before another officer took over.
Becoming Prosecutor General
On February 14, 1764, Empress Catherine II chose Alexander Vyazemsky for a very important job. She made him the Prosecutor General of the Senate. She trusted him completely because of his honesty.
The Empress even wrote special instructions for him. She told him that he needed to be completely open with her. She also said he must be strong and fair, even when dealing with powerful people. Catherine II wanted him to focus only on what was best for Russia and justice. She warned him to stay away from court gossip and tricky situations.
Alexander Vyazemsky followed these instructions very carefully. He had the Empress's full trust. This allowed him to stay in this top job for almost 29 years. Over time, his role grew even bigger. At first, he led the Senate and oversaw things like salt and wine sales. Later, he also managed justice, government money, and internal affairs. He was the first person in Russia to set up strict rules for tracking government income and expenses.
Vyazemsky also oversaw important state investigations. He made sure that local prosecutors followed the rules. New laws called "Institutions for the Administration of Governorates" were put in place under him. These laws clearly explained the duties of local prosecutors.
For his hard work and dedication, he received many honors. These included the Order of Saint Andrew the First–Called and the Order of Saint Vladimir. He held the military rank of lieutenant general. He also had the high civilian rank of a Real Privy Councillor.
In September 1792, Alexander Vyazemsky retired because he was ill. Empress Catherine II had to divide his many duties among several people. People who knew him said he was loyal, unselfish, and very hardworking. He was also known for choosing good assistants.
Prince Vyazemsky passed away on January 20, 1793. He died from a stroke. You can find his simple tombstone in the Annunciation Church of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra. His estate near Saint Petersburg, called Murzinka, went to his daughter Anna.
Family Life
In July 1768, Prince Vyazemsky married Princess Elena Trubetskoy. She was much younger than him. Her father was also a Prosecutor General. As a wedding gift, he received land in Aleksandrovskoye. There, he built the famous Kulich and Easter Church.
Elena Nikitichna, his wife, was a lady of the court. She outlived her husband by almost forty years. She was a respected figure among the noble families in Saint Petersburg.
Alexander and Elena had four daughters:
- Ekaterina Alexandrovna (1769–1824) married Count Dmitry Tolstoy.
- Anna Alexandrovna (1770–1840) inherited the Murzinka–Alexandrovsky estate. She married Antonino Maresca, Duke of Serracapriola. He was an envoy from Naples in Saint Petersburg.
- Praskovya Alexandrovna (1772–1835) married Count Dmitry Zubov.
- Varvara Alexandrovna (1773–1849) was born in Saint Petersburg. She married Baron Niels Rosenkrantz in 1791. He later became the Prime Minister of Denmark. She passed away in Copenhagen.
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Elena Nikitichna
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Catherine
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Anna
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Praskovya
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Barbara
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| Manor Murzinka (Alexandrovskoe) | Manor Church, built by order of Alexander Vyazemsky | The interior of Vyazemsky's house on Italian Street |
