Naryshkin Family

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NARYSHKIN FAMILY, a noble family, known since the 15th century, came to prominence after the marriage of Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich and Natalia Kirillovna Naryshkina, mother of Peter the Great, in 1671. In the 18th-19th centuries the Naryshkins were known as a family of splendid courtiers, as organisers of luxurious festivities, and for their beauty. They were objects of intense interest in Petersburg society. Kirill Alexeevich Naryshkin (?-1723) was a Chief of the Tsar's table (1697) and the First Commandant of St. Petersburg (1710-16). Alexander Lvovich Naryshkin (1691-1746), Peter the Great's cousin, was Actual Privy Counsellor (1740), Director of the Sea Academy (1722-25), President of the Bureau of State Accounts (1725-26), President of the Chamber Board (1726-27), President of the Commercial Board and Bureau of Manufacturing (1731-33), Senator (1733), President of the Court Building Office, and the Director of Imperial Buildings and Gardens (1736-46). He owned the building at 10 Angliiskaya Embankment. His son, Lev Alexandrovich Naryshkin (1733-1799), was Ober-Stalmeister (Grand Master of the Horse) (1762), Actual Chamberlain (1799), organized wonderful balls, masquerades and picnics, and was famous for his jokes and wit. He inherited the building at Angliiskaya Embankment from his father, and was the original owner of the building at 9 St. Isaac's Square. He was also the owner of a dacha at Krasnaya Grange near St. Petersburg (its park, open to the public, was a favourite strolling spot for Petersburg resident). His son, Alexander Lvovich Naryshkin (1760-1826), was Chief Steward Marshal (1798), Chief Director of Imperial Theatres (1799-1819), and Marshal of the Nobility (1818-26). He owned the building at 10 Angliiskaya Embankment. His brother, Dmitry Lvovich Naryshkin (1764-1838), was the Ober-Jegermeister (Grand Master of the Hunt) (1804), owned the building at 21 Fontanka River Embankment (see the Shuvalov (Naryshkin) Palace). His wife, Maria Antonovna Naryshkina (1779-1854), was a favourite of Emperor Alexander I's. Both Naryshkin brothers were known for their passion for luxury and extravagancy, and the festivities they organized amazed St. Petersburg. Almost all Petersburg Naryshkins were buried at the Alexander Nevsky Lavra.

References: Авгуль Л. Н., Крылова А. В. Дворец Нарышкиных-Шуваловых. СПб., 1996; Русева Л. Дворцовые остряки // Смена. 2001. №4. С. 14-25. M.O. Melzin. Alexander I, Emperor
Alexis I (Alexey Mikhailovich), Tsar
Naryshkin Alexander Lvovich
Naryshkin Alexander Lvovich
Naryshkin Dmitry Lvovich
Naryshkin Kirill Alexeevich
Naryshkin Lev Alexandrovich
Naryshkina Maria Antonovna
Peter I, Emperor
the Naryshkins
Angliiskaya Embankment/Saint Petersburg, city, house 10
Fontanka River Embankment/Saint Petersburg, city, house 21
St.Isaac's Square/Saint Petersburg, city, house 9
Авгуль Л. Н., Крылова А. В. Дворец Нарышкиных - Шуваловых. СПб., 1996
Русева Л. Дворцовые остряки // Смена, 2001 Imperial Theatres Board
Shuvalov (Naryshkin) Palace
Alexander Nevsky Lavra