Alexander III of Russia

Education

When he became heir-apparent by the death of his elder brother in 1865, he began to study the principles of law and administration under Konstantin Pobedonostsev, who was then a professor of civil law at Moscow State University and who later (in 1880) became chief procurator of the Holy Synod. Pobedonostsev awakened in his pupil very little love for abstract studies or prolonged intellectual exertion, but he influenced the character of Alexander's reign by instilling into the young man's mind the belief that zeal for Russian Orthodox thought was an essential factor of Russian patriotism and was to be specially cultivated by every right-minded tsar.

Related Topics:
Konstantin Pobedonostsev - Moscow State University - Chief procurator - Holy Synod - Russian Orthodox

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

On his deathbed, his elder brother had expressed a wish that his affianced bride, Princess Dagmar of Denmark, should marry his successor, and this wish was realized on November 9 1866. The union proved a most happy one and remained unclouded to the end. During those years when he was heir-apparent—1865 to 1881—he did not play a prominent part in public affairs, but he allowed it to become known that he had certain ideas of his own which did not coincide with the principles of the existing government.

Related Topics:
November 9 - 1866 - 1865 - 1881

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~