Alexander Menshikov: short biography

Alexander Sergeevich Menshikov (1787-1869), the great-grandson of the famous A.D. Menshikov, favorite and approximate Peter I, was one of the prominent military, political, statesmen of Russia of the 19th century. In addition, he was a diplomat, he headed the naval institutions, participated in many campaigns, was close to the two emperors. In society he was famous for his wit and gaiety. He was also the largest bibliophile of his time, having collected a library of more than fifty thousand books.

Some facts of life

A brief biography of Alexander Menshikov, which will be described in the framework of this article, is interesting in that it shows how versatile and multifaceted was his activity. He was born into a military family, received a wonderful home education, studied at German universities. He was fluent in several foreign languages, therefore, returning to his homeland, entered the service in the Foreign Affairs Department, where he served for a while. During this period Alexander Sergeevich Menshikov was on diplomatic missions in European capitals.

However, very soon he entered the military service and distinguished himself in the war with Turkey (in 1810-1811 gg.). Alexander Sergeevich took part in the siege and capture of a number of fortresses, crossing the Danube. The young man proved himself well, showing courage and carrying out various assignments, for which he received the Order of St. Vladimir. After that, he became adjutant to the emperor, thus entering his entourage.

Military career

He distinguished himself in the years of the Patriotic War. During this period, Menshikov was at the headquarters and participated in all major battles with the French. Then he received a promotion, becoming a captain. Together with the Russian troops he went on foreign trips and at that time managed to prove himself well before the emperor, having accomplished one very difficult assignment. Menshikov Alexander Sergeevich had to convey to the Swedish commander that the Allied troops had joined up and launched an offensive. He successfully coped with the task, which earned him the almost complete trust of Alexander I. Menshikov fought in several battles, for which he received a new award - the Order of St. Vladimir. An indication of the emperor's trust in him is that he accompanied his ruler in all European congresses devoted to solving the fate of countries after the Napoleonic wars.

Civil Service

In 1816, Alexander Sergeevich Menshikov received a new responsible post in the chancery of the main headquarters. But at that time Arakcheev moved out at the court, who disliked him. As a result, Menshikov's position was shaken.

The final break with the court occurred after he decided to create a project for the liberation of serf landlord peasants. In principle, this issue was relevant at the beginning of the reign of the emperor, but at the end of his rule, many liberal projects were curtailed, including various options for abolishing serfdom. However, Menshikov Alexander Sergeevich in 1821, together with two other prominent statesmen, presented a plan for the abolition of serfdom, which the tsar perceived as too bold. After this incident, he even became a freethinker, which led to his removal from the court, and under what circumstances: he was offered to take a diplomatic post in Dresden, which he took as a personal insult and as a hint of the need to retire from the ruler. Alexander Sergeyevich refused this post and went to his estate.

Reforming the fleet

The next stage of his life is associated with the accession of the new emperor - Nicholas I. By his own petition, he was returned to the service. The first stage of the reign of the new ruler was marked by the desire to reorganize the fleet, which under his predecessor was almost not reformed. Nikolay the First energetically took up his transformation, he went into all the details, followed the construction of ships, drawing up plans. Menshikov was not familiar with the practice of the sea in practice, but during his stay in the village he studied the necessary course in books under the guidance of his neighbor, who knew this discipline.

A new stage of activity

After his return to the capital, Alexander Sergeevich presented the emperor with a project for the transformation of the naval department, which was supposed to be changed following the example of the military administration. A special role was assigned to the General Staff at the Maritime Department, whose chief acted as an intermediary between the tsar and the fleet. Menshikov served as head of the naval staff for quite some time - from 1829 to 1855. Subsequently, his activities led to the fact that the maritime minister, in fact, lost his value, losing to his new chief of staff. As Governor-General of Finland Menshikov, nevertheless, he continued his military career.

Participation in wars

Occupying high civil positions, Alexander Sergeevich, however, continued to participate in combat battles. Menshikov distinguished himself in the war with Turkey. He took a number of fortresses, and before the beginning of the Crimean War carried out diplomatic missions. After the outbreak of hostilities, he headed the naval and land forces, but activities in this post did not bring him fame. Under his command, the Russian army suffered a number of serious defeats from the Allies. Despite the fact that the first decades of the reign of Nicholas I carried out reforms to reorganize the fleet, however, Russian sailing ships could not resist the enemy's steam vessels. After the failure in the war, Menshikov was removed from military posts, retaining the rank of adjutant and member of the state council. After that, he retired to his village, where he died in 1869.