The life and endeavors of the Emperor Alexander I — in digital materials of the Presidential Library

December 23, 2017, marks the 240th anniversary of the birth of the Russian Emperor Alexander I. Numerous historical materials dedicated to the autocrat can be found on the Presidential Library website in a particular selection, which is a part of an extensive electronic collection The Romanov dynasty. Zemsky Sobor of 1613. These are archival documents, personal correspondence of the tsar, and the memoirs of contemporaries about him, research, visual materials and much more.

Alexander Pavlovich was born in 1777. F. A. Ternovsky in the rare edition of 1878 A characteristic of Alexander I says: “This event was extremely pleased both the reigning Empress Catherine the Great and the entire of Russia, where the direct descending line of the reigning house and the correct order of succession to the throne from the time of Peter the Great had been torn. With the birth of a borne to the crown baby the hope of good and bright days in the future has seemingly shone for Russia — a hope, which this time was not deceived.”

V. I. Sreznevsky in his work The Emperor Alexander Pavlovich among his educators, published in 1878, continues: “The Great Russian Empress Catherine decided to engage in the education of her beloved grandson herself, realizing that the Grand Prince is her true hope. Committed to the Russian state with all her heart and being at the height of the intellectual level of civilized Europe of that time, she wanted to strengthen in her grandson the true, though not immediate, heir of the idea that she had developed herself as the basis of all reforms and improvement of our native land.”

Catherine II was not mistaken in her decision, V. I. Sreznevsky states: “ A meekness, a kindness, a subtle and a penetrating mind, a pure heart capable of rapid impulses, a love for work, an amazing memory, talent and curiosity were the born qualities of Catherine’s learner. This soil was the most beneficial and receptive to good beginnings.”

This is confirmed by the notes of the tutor of the Grand Prince, included in the collection, which were published in 1863. The author comments on his 14-year-old ward: “Thanks to God, with a sensible maturation of the mind, it is adorned with upright qualities; a honesty, a justice and a gentleness in person are getting affirmed; from everywhere I hear praise for his courtesy, warmth and tolerance.” It stands to mention that these memories are interesting not only because they allow us to look at the future emperor through the eyes of an close to him person, but also to find out in what conditions did he grow up and how his personality was molded.

In 1801, Alexander I ascended to the throne. During his reign the Emperor intended to implement a radical reform of the political system of Russia by creating a constitution that guaranteed to all the subjects personal freedom and civil rights. He wanted to establish law and order, eliminate tyranny and the widespread bribes. Under his raign the higher and central government bodies were reformed: the ministries and the Cabinet of Ministers were established, the State Council was formed, and the Lyceum  inTsarskoe Selo was opened.

The state endeavors of Alexander I is widely represented n the collection of the Presidential Library, including in digital copies of messages written by the Emperor with his own hand. Thus, from a letter addressed to Napoleon Bonaparte, we can learn that the Russian autocrat tried to peacefully prevent a military conflict: “My brother, yesterday I learned that, in spite of the carefulness with which I fulfilled my obligations towards your Majesty, your troops crossed the borders of Russia. <…> If it is not in the intention of your Majesty to shed the blood of our peoples because of a misunderstanding of this kind, and if you agree to withdraw your troops from the Russian territory, I will assume that all that did not happen, and the agreement between us will still possible. Otherwise, your majesty, you make me seeing only an enemy in you, whose actions are not caused by mine. It is up to your Majesty to save mankind from the miseries of a new war.”

A separate collection is dedicated to the Patriotic War of 1812, but in the selection of materials focused on Alexander I much attention is also paid to it. Thus, the rare edition of 1826 Some characteristics and anecdotes of the Emperor Alexander I, the a saver and peacemaker of Europe, with an inclusion of the portrait of the Emperor and three engraved paintings points out the bravery of the Russian Tsar who was encouraging the troops with his own example: “In the battle of Bautzen, the undaunted Sovereign stood on a high hill and looked at the battle. Meanwhile, the enemy brought the guns to some height, and the cannon balls began to reach the spot where the Emperor was standing. Seeing the danger, His Majesty ordered his surrenders to leave the place, but remained himself in the midst of a rumble of canister-shots. Count Miloradovich galloped to the front columns and shouted to the soldiers: “Stay stronger! The Sovereign is looking at you!” And the enemy did not win a single step.”

This same edition sums up the life of Emperor Alexander I, who died of illness at the end of 1825: “With what kind of feats of humanity the life of Alexander the Blessed did not crown? Oh, a virtue! You were the life of Alexandr’s heart! He forgave thousands of people, saved the millions, the millions are happy!”