Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of Russia (Russian: Константин Николаевич Романов; 9 September 1827 – 13 January 1892) was the second son of Tsar Nicholas I of Russia.
During the reign of his brother Alexander II, Konstantin was an admiral of the Russian fleet and reformed the Russian Navy. He was also an instrumental figure in the emancipation of the serfs. He was less fortunate as viceroy of Poland and had to be recalled to Russia where he was attacked for his liberalism.
After the assassination of his brother, Alexander II, Konstantin fell from favour. The new tsar, Alexander III, his nephew, opposed Konstantin's liberal ideas and gradually stripped him of all his governmental positions. His retirement was marked with personal turmoil and family setbacks. After suffering a stroke, he spent his last years as an invalid. He is a paternal great-great grandfather of Charles, Prince of Wales, heir apparent to the British throne, since his daughter Olga married George I of Greece, whose son Andrea married Alice Battenberg and begat Philip, Charles' father.
Read more about Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich Of Russia: Education, Marriage, Early Career, Naval Reform, Emancipation of The Serfs, Viceroy of Poland, President of The Council of State, Family Crisis, Retirement, Last Years, Children, Ancestry
Famous quotes containing the words grand, duke and/or russia:
““You have a grand gift of silence, Watson,” said he, “it makes you quite invaluable as a companion.””
—Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930)
“The thing that impresses me most about America is the way parents obey their children.”
—Edward, Duke of Windsor (1894–1972)
“To the Japanese, Portugal and Russia are neutral enemies, England and America are belligerent enemies, and Germany and her satellites are friendly enemies. They draw very fine distinctions.”
—Jerome Cady, U.S. screenwriter, and Lewis Milestone. Peter Voroshevski (Howard Clinton?)