Alexander III 1845-94
Tsar of Russia

Born in St Petersburg, he was the younger son and successor of Alexander II (1881). In 1866 he married Princess Marie Dagmar (1847-1928), daughter of King Kristian IX of Denmark and sister of Queen Alexandra of Great Britain. A massively impressive figure, with huge self-confidence, he was openly critical of his father's reforming policies before his accession. He followed a repressive domestic policy, especially in the persecution of Jews, and promoted Russian language and traditions and the Orthodox Church. Abroad, his policy was cautious, and he consolidated Russia's hold on central Asia to the frontier of Afghanistan, provoking a crisis with Great Britain (1885). In the last years of his reign he discouraged the triple alliance of Russia, Germany and Austria and became a virtual ally of France. Despite several assassination attempts, he died a natural death and was succeeded by his son Nicholas II.