Michael Pavlovich Romanov (1798-1849)

Russian Royalty. Grand Duke Michael of the Imperial House of Romanov. He was the fourth and youngest son of Czar Paul I. In 1814 he visited Paris with the Allies and then traveled throughout the Russian Empire on his return. He was named Commander of the Guards' Infantry Brigade and helped found the High School of Artillery in St. Petersburg. He fought bravely against Turkey. The Order of St. George was awarded to him, which is given for "display of highest valor and skills in the face of an exterior enemy". In 1831 he was named Chief of all of the Military Schools in Russia. He married his cousin Princess Helen (Elena) of Württemberg and had six daughters. The Michaelovsky Palace, designed by Carlo Rossi and built between 1819 and 1823, served as the Grand Duke's residence; today it is the State Russian Museum. In 1828 Michael also inherited the palace of Pavlovsk from his mother. Since he had no male heirs, his palaces and extensive collections of art and furnishings were dispersed among more distant male relatives, and later confiscated by the Soviets, as were others Romanov properties.

Bio by: Linda Davis