Historical Figures Codexery

Grigori Rasputin

Russian mystic whose influence over the imperial family preceded his assassination.

He was born in the village of Pokrovskoye in Tobolsk Governorate and later gained a reputation as a starets, or holy wanderer.[1] According to historians, Rasputin's disreputable image contributed to the Tsarist government's loss of credibility, which helped cause the Romanovs' overthrow not long after he was killed.[2]

Quick Facts

Born
21 January 1869
Birthplace
Pokrovskoye, Russian Empire
Died
30 December 1916
Place of death
Petrograd, Russian Empire
Cause of death
Gunshot wounds (political assassination)
Spouse
Praskovya Fedorovna Dubrovina (1887)
Children
3, including Maria
Occupation
Christian mystic

Facts from the source article.

Life and work

He married Praskovya Dubrovina in February 1887 after meeting her in Abalak.[3] In 1897, Rasputin underwent a religious conversion and embarked on a pilgrimage to the St. Nicholas Monastery at Verkhoturye.[4][3] He became a vegetarian, swore off alcohol, and spent years as a strannik wandering to holy sites.[5][6] By 1905, Rasputin had formed friendships with members of the aristocracy and was introduced to Tsar Nicholas II at the Peterhof Palace.[7][6]

The imperial family believed Rasputin could heal their son Alexei, who suffered from haemophilia.[8] During a severe hemorrhage in 1912, Rasputin sent a telegram telling the tsarina that "the Little One will not die," and Alexei's bleeding stopped the following day.[9][10][11] At Prince Felix Yusupov's residence, Rasputin was killed in the early hours of 30 December 1916.[6][12] His death resulted from three bullet wounds, with one shot fired into his forehead from close range.[6]

What the cited sources add

The same article reports that Rasputin's wife appeared untroubled by his infidelities, commenting "He has enough for all"[12] According to the History Hit account, Rasputin was 1.93 meters tall and accounts frequently reference his piercing stare and hypnotic eyes.[13] The History Hit source states there is no evidence beyond popular gossip that Rasputin had a sexual relationship with the Tsarina.[13] Harris writes that Rasputin may have improved Alexei's condition by stopping doctors from administering aspirin.[12]

The Smithsonian article also reports that soldiers on the Eastern Front spoke of Rasputin having an intimate affair with Alexandra, passing the story off as common knowledge without evidence.[12]

References

  1. Wikipedia, "Grigori Rasputin" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Grigori Rasputin Biography, Facts, & Death Britannica", www.britannica.com, 2026-08-24 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  2. Wikipedia, "Grigori Rasputin" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Ra-Ra-Rasputin: The Definitive Historical Breakdown of Boney M's Classic Song", History Hit (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
  3. Wikipedia, "Grigori Rasputin" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Smith 2016, p. 14 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  4. Wikipedia, "Grigori Rasputin" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Fuhrmann 2012, p. 7; Smith 2016, p. 14 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  5. Wikipedia, "Grigori Rasputin" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Fuhrmann 2012, p. 7 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  6. Wikipedia, "Grigori Rasputin" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Smith 2016, p. 14; Smith 2016, p. 14 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  7. Wikipedia, "Grigori Rasputin" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Fuhrmann 2012, p. 7; Smith 2016, p. 14; Smith 2016, p. 14; Fuhrmann 2012, p. 7 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  8. Wikipedia, "Grigori Rasputin" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Figes 1998, p. 29; Fuhrmann 2012, p. 7 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  9. Wikipedia, "Grigori Rasputin" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Massie 2012, p. 168; Massie 2012, p. 168; Massie 2012, p. 168 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  10. Wikipedia, "Grigori Rasputin" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Massie 2012, p. 168 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  11. Wikipedia, "Grigori Rasputin" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Massie 2012, p. 168; Julia P. Gelardi, Born to Rule: Five Reigning Consorts, Granddaughters of Queen Victoria, p. 176 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  12. Harris, Carolyn (2016). "The Murder of Rasputin, 100 Years Later". Smithsonian Magazine.. facts only, no text reused. smithsonianmag.com
  13. "Ra-Ra-Rasputin: The Definitive Historical Breakdown of Boney M's Classic Song", History Hit. facts only, no text reused. historyhit.com

Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Grigori Rasputin (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.

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