Aleksey Lobanov-Rostovsky

Who was Aleksey Lobanov-Rostovsky?

Prince Alexey Borisovich Lobanov-Rostovsky was a Russian statesman, probably best remembered for having concluded the Li-Lobanov Treaty with China and for his publication of the Russian Genealogical Book.

Descended from the legendary prince Rurik, Prince Lobanov-Rostovsky was educated at Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum. At the age of twenty, he entered the diplomatic service and became minister at Constantinople in 1859. In 1863, a regrettable incident in his private life made him retire temporarily from the public service, but four years later he re-entered it and served for ten years as an assistant to the minister of the interior.

At the close of the Russo-Turkish war in 1878, he was selected by Alexander II as ambassador to Constantinople, and for more than a year he carried out with great ability the policy of his government, which aimed at re-establishing tranquility in the Eastern Question after the disturbances produced by the reckless action of his predecessor, Count Ignatiev. In 1879 he was transferred to London, and in 1882 to Vienna. In March 1895, under Nicholas II, he was appointed minister of foreign affairs in succession to Nicholas de Giers.