Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of Russia

Who was Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of Russia?

Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of Russia was a son of Emperor Alexander II of Russia. He was a brother of Tsar Alexander III of Russia and was the Senior Grand Duke of the House of Romanov during the reign of his nephew, Tsar Nicholas II.

Grand Duke Vladimir followed a military career and occupied important military positions during the reigns of the last three Russian Emperors. Interested in artistic and intellectual pursuits; he was appointed President of the Academy of Fine Arts. He was a patron of many artist and sponsor of the Imperial ballet.

During the reign of his father, Tsar Alexander II, he was made Adjutant-General, senator in 1868 and member of the Council of State in 1872. His brother, Alexander III also promoted his career. He was made member of the Council of ministers; Commander of the Imperial Guards Corps and Military Governor of Saint Petersburg. He tried to exert some influence over his nephew Tsar Nicholas II, but had to content himself with holding a rival court with his wife Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna at his palace in Saint Petersburg. The events of bloody Sunday in 1905, while he was military governor of St Peterburg, tarnished his reputation. During the last years of his life, the rift between his family and that of Nicholas II widened. He died after a stroke in 1909. His great granddaughter, Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna, is the current claimant to the headship of the Romanov family.