Biography Konstantin

Konstantin Nikolayevich (09/09/1827 – 13/01/1892) – Grand Duke, second son of Emperor Nicholas, was born September 9, 1827, died Jan. 13, 1892

Nicholas with his childhood ordained for service in the Navy and already in 1831 he was appointed Admiral, starting at the same time, take the stairs marine ranks. Raising him was entrusted to Count Litke, who managed to instill in him a love of seamanship.

Since 1856 he managed the Navy and the Naval Department, on the Rights of the Minister. The first period of his administration was marked by a number of important reforms: old sailing fleet was replaced by steam, was reduced cash of shore commands, simplified record keeping for the Navy Department, instituted emeritalnye cash, before all other departments in the Navy put an end to domination corporal punishment.

The structure of employees in the maritime ministry were involved in the new, predominantly intellectual forces, and many prominent Russian writers, as Goncharov, Pisemsky, Grigorovich, Maksimov, at this time in the service in this ministry or carried out his orders. The body of the Ministry, "Marine Digest, in its official position free of censorship has become an open expression of new trends, placing articles on issues far beyond the special interests of the navy.

Since the second half of the sixties transforming activity in the marine ministry has become somewhat weakened. The introduction of armored ships, in the opinion of specialists, has not done with such success as its predecessor replaced sailing ships steam. At present it is difficult still, however, to determine exactly how these reviews had absolute truth and how they were caused by stimulation of certain circles of Russian society against a common political role of the grand duke.

Using the confidence of Emperor Alexander II, led. book. Konstantin Nikolayevich was an ardent supporter of his in carrying out the great reforms which marked the beginning of his reign. In the release of lead. Duke owned a prominent and honorable role: he defended the main committee as a defense, and general interests of the peasants against the feudal party. Later, his initiative was of considerable importance in the implementation of such reforms as the introduction of public trial and the restriction of corporal punishment.

Apogee of his influence led. book. Konstantin reached to 1861 Since that time, it began to wane, especially heavy blow dealt to him was the circumstances surrounding the Polish uprising. Appointed in 1862, during a start in the Polish provinces, unrest, governor of the Kingdom of Poland, led. Prince attempted to keep the province in a conciliatory policy, but it was not successful. The extreme party among the Poles sought irresistibly to revolution and the life of the governor was committed was an attempt (Yaroshinskaya).

On the other hand Russian reactionary press is seen in a conciliatory policy led. Prince of direct relief to the Poles. Attempt reconciliation, since such a situation, had no chance of success, and Konstantin resigned from in 1863, the title of viceroy of the Kingdom of Poland. In 1865 he was appointed Chairman of the State Council, which remained until 1881

At the beginning of the new reign, he left a post, and others who worked so long and, to maintain only the honorary title of General-Admiral, lived a private citizen.

He has been married since 1848 to lead. book. Alexander Joseph, daughter of the Duke of Saxe-Altenburg.