Early Life
Peter Georgievich was born on 26 August 1812 in Yaroslavl, Russia as Prince Peter Konstantin Friedrich of Oldenburg. His father, Duke George, who was only the second son of the reigning Duke of Oldenburg, had no prospects of inherited his father's state or fortune of his own and was living in Russia since his marriage in 1809 to Grand Duchess Catherine Pavlovna of Russia. Duke George, who had been appointed governor on the Volga, died six month after Peter Georgievitch, his second, was born. Peter's mother Grand Duchess Catherine Pavlovna of Russia was the favorite sister of Tsar Alexander I of Russia who took his two nephews, Peter and his older brother Alexander, under his protection. The brothers lived in Russia until his mother married King William I of Württemberg in 1816. They moved to Württemberg and were educated in Stuttgart. At the death of his mother, less than three years later, Peter and his brother were sent to their grandfather in Oldenburg. Being in direct line of succession to the throne of Oldenburg, as their uncle the hereditary Grand Duke Augustus was unmarried at the time, both boys were given the same extensive education by their grandfather Duke Peter as he had given his own sons and were regularly sent on instructive trips around Germany to broaden their education.
In May 1829 his grandfather died and after the death of his brother Alexander in November of the same year, Peter maternal uncle, Tsar Nicholas I of Russia sent for Peter, and named him a Colonel in the Lifeguards. He quickly rose through the ranks and was subsequently appointed Lieutenant General. After four years service he retired, and became active in St. Petersburg government. In 1834 he was made a Russian Senator, and it was from that time that his name began to be known as a great philanthropist, devoting his energies primarily to education. He founded the Imperial School of Jurisprudence, at which Russia's future judges and administrators were educated, and in 1844 he was appointed head of an organization to further the education of women.
Peter of Oldenburg was also a scholar, speaking eight languages. As Honorary President of the Tsarina Maria Trust he also played a leading role in overseeing the development of hospitals in Russia, one of which in St Petersburg was called the Prince Peter of Oldenburg Children Hospital. He also made substantial donation to school building programs in Oldenburg, his country of origin.
Read more about this topic: Ballets By Prince Oldenburg
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