Tolstoy

Tolstoy, or Tolstoi ({{lang-ru|????????}}) is a prominent family of Russian nobility, descending from one Andrey Kharitonovich Tolstoy (i.e., "the Fat") who served under Vasily II of Moscow. The "wild Tolstoys" (as they were known in the high society of Imperial Russia) have left a lasting legacy in Russian politics, military history, literature, and fine arts.

The Tolstoys in high society

Count Feodor Petrovich Tolstoy (1783–1873), sympathetically mentioned by Pushkin in Eugene Onegin, was one of the most fashionable Russian drawers and painters of the 1820s. His genuine vocation was wax modeling and design of medals. As he gradually went blind, he had to give up drawing and started writing ballets and librettos for operas. He was appointed Vice-President of the Academy of Arts in 1828. Many of his works may be seen in the Russian Museum, St Petersburg.

Related Topics:
Pushkin - Wax modeling - Medals - Ballet - Russian Museum - St Petersburg

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Count Feodor Ivanovich Tolstoy (1782–1846) was a notorious drunkard, gastronome, and duellist. It is said that he killed 11 people in duels, and Alexander Pushkin, his personal enemy, could have been one of these. In 1803 he participated in the first Russian circumnavigation of the Earth. After he had his body tattooed at the Marquesas and debauched all the crew, captain Krusenstern had to maroon him on the Aleutian Islands near Kamchatka. Upon his return to St Petersburg, Count Fedor was nicknamed Americanets ("the American"). He fought bravely in the Patriotic War of 1812 but scandalized his family again by marrying a Gypsy singer in 1821. Alexander Griboyedov satirized him in Woe from Wit, and his cousin Leo Tolstoy fictionalized him in War and Peace.

Related Topics:
Duels - Alexander Pushkin - Circumnavigation - Marquesas - Krusenstern - Aleutian Islands - Kamchatka - Patriotic War of 1812 - Alexander Griboyedov - Woe from Wit - Leo Tolstoy

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