Alexander II, known as the Liberator 1818-81
Tsar of Russia

Born in St Petersburg, he was educated by his father Nicholas I and subjected to rigorous military training that affected his health. In 1841 he married Princess Marie of Hesse-Darmstadt (1824-80). He succeeded to the throne (1855) during the Crimean War, and signed the Treaty of Paris that ended it (1856). The great achievement of his reign was the emancipation of the serfs in 1861 (hence his nickname), followed by judicial and social reforms, including the building of railways and schools, and the establishment of jury-based public trials and elected assemblies (Zemstva) in the provinces. He maintained friendly relations with Prussia, especially in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71), and married his only daughter Marie to Alfred, second son of Queen Victoria. Although he sold Alaska to the USA (1867), he extended the Russian Empire in the Caucasus and central Asia, and successfully fought against Turkey (1877-78), winning the liberation of Bulgaria. In 1880, soon after the death of his first wife, he married his mistress, Katharina Dolgorukova (1847-1922). Despite his liberal views, his government was severe in repressing peasant unrest and revolutionary movements. After several assassination attempts he was mortally injured by a bomb thrown at him in St Petersburg.

Bibliography: Martha E Almedingen, The Emperor Alexander II (1962)