Alexander Vasilchikov

Alexander Vasilchikov came from an old family of Moscow noblemen. A handsome twenty-seven year-old cornet of the Horse Guards (1772), he often served on guard duty at Tsarskoe Selo, where he caught the eye of Catherine the Great. He was promoted to the posts of gentleman of the bedchamber and chamberlain, bringing him into constant contact with the empress. When he was awarded the Order of St Alexander Nevsky, everyone understood that a new favourite had emerged. Pleasant and polite, he was embarrassed by his position. By 1774, however, Catherine had begun to tire of him. Awarded expensive gifts and a large pension, he moved to Moscow, where he married and lived happily for the rest of his life.