Constantine Nicolaievitch

Constantine Nicolaievitch, the second son of the Czar Nicholas, was born in 1827, and having been trained by Admiral Lutke for the naval service, became grand admiral whilst a mere boy. He married in 1848 Princess Alexandra of Saxe-Altenburg. A strong supporter of the "Old Russian" party and a promoter of the war of 1854-6, he held command of the Baltic fleet at that period, and was successful in preventing any serious operations on the part of the Allies. In 1862 he became governor of Poland, and from 1865 to 1881 was President of the Grand Council of the Empire. In the latter year he was dismissed owing to a suspicion of revolutionary intrigues, but was subsequently restored to comparative favour. A life of great irregularity had shattered his constitution and impaired his mental powers. In 1890, whilst attending the army manoeuvres, he was seized with raving madness, and died in seclusion in 1892.