Kurakin Alexander B. (1752-1818), diplomat, statesman

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KURAKIN Alexander Borisovich (1752-1818), Prince, statesman, diplomat, First Class Full Privy Councilor (1807). He came from the ancient Princely Gediminovich family. Brother of Alexey B. Kurakin and a childhood friend of Emperor Pavel I. Appointed Vice-Chancellor in 1796, a position he held until 1798, when he became a Senator; in 1801, he became a member of the State Assembly. Among his titles and ranks are Honorary Fellow of the Russian Academy (1798), Marshal of the Nobility of St. Petersburg Province (1797-99), and Bailie of the Malta Order (1797). Kurakin possessed an enormous fortune, which gave him the status of Diamond Prince. In 1782-99, he owned a residence at the corner of Nevsky Prospect and Bolshaya Morskaya Street (see Chicherin's House). From 1812, he occupied a building he bought at 22 Millionnaya Street, which was one of the centres of the capital's high life.

References: Терещенко А. Опыт обозрения жизни сановников, управлявших иностр. делами в России. СПб., 1837. Ч. 3; Иванов А. А. Дома и люди. Из истории петерб. особняков. СПб., 1997. С. 107-11.

M. O. Meltsin. Kurakin Alexander Borisovich, Duke
Kurakin Alexey Borisovich, Duke
Paul (Pavel) I, Emperor
Bolshaya Morskaya St./Saint Petersburg, city
Millionnaya St./Saint Petersburg, city, house 22
Nevsky prospect/Saint Petersburg, city
Терещенко А. В. Опыт обозрения жизни сановников, управлявших иностранными делами в России. СПб., 1837 State Assembly
Chicherin House