Profile of the Day: Alexander I

Posted December 23, 2014 by Amanda | No Comment

Alexander I

Do you have any Russian heritage? On this day in 1777, Alexander I of Russia was born in Saint Petersburg. Between 1801 – 1825, Alexander reigned as Emperor of Russia, leading the empire during the chaotic period of the Napoleonic Wars. He succeeded to the throne after his father was murdered.

Both he and his younger brother Constantine were raised by their grandmother, Catherine the Great. Some sources allege that Catherine had planned to remove her son Paul I from the line of succession. However, when Catherine died before appointing Alexander her successor, Paul stepped into the throne. His unfavorable policies alienated even his most trusted advisors, leading to his assassination and paving the way for Alexander to ascend to the throne.

Despite the promise of reform early in his reign, no concrete proposals were ever made. The second half of his reign became increasingly erratic as he became more fearful of plots against him. In 1825, he died of typhous. After the failed Decembrist revolt, his brother Nicholas I succeeded to the throne.

Did you know Alexander I was the godfather of Queen Victoria? She was christened Alexandrina Victoria in honor of the tsar.

Alexander I is connected to over 80 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. Explore his tree to discover how you’re related!