Acquisition of Nobility
Nobility could be acquired by several means, including military service.
Between 1722 and 1845 hereditary nobility was bestowed on long-serving military officers, civil servants who attained the 8th rank of Collegiate Assessor, as well as any person who received any grade within an order of the Russian Empire.
Between 1845 and 1856 hereditary nobility was bestowed for long service at the 5th rank of major and State Counsellor and to all recipients of the Order of Saint George, the Order of Saint Vladimir, the Order of Saint Anne, and the Order of Saint Stanislaus.
From 1856, hereditary nobility was given to those who rose to the 4th rank of colonel, captain of the first rank, and actual state counsellor, as well as to all recipients of the Order of Saint George, the Order of White Eagle, the Order of Saint Vladimir, the award 'first class' of the Order of Saint Anne and the award 'first class' of the Order of Saint Stanislaus.
Later, automatic entitlement to the rank of hereditary nobility was further restricted. Only a recipient of the award of 'first class' (grade) of any order of Russian Empire, and (from 1900) the order of Order of Saint Vladimir of the third class (or higher), could become an hereditary noble. Those awarded lesser grades within the orders of Russian Empire, or receiving one of the lesser grades in the Order of Saint Vladimir, might attain personal nobility.
Read more about this topic: Russian Nobility
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