Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Vorontsov, Aleksandr Romanovich, graf, 1741-1805, Vorontsov, S. R. (Semen Romanovich), graf, 1744-1832, and Phillipps, Thomas, Sir, 1792-1872
- Abstract:
- The Vorontsov mss., 1764-1814, consists of the correspondence of several members of the Vorontsov family to their bankers in London.
- Extent:
- 1 Box (1 standard)
- Language:
- Materials are in French and English .
- Preferred citation:
[Item], Vorontsov mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
Background
- Biographical / Historical:
Count Alexander Romanovich Vorontsov, 1741-1805, was Chancellor of the Russian Empire during the reign of Alexander I, Emperor of Russia. When he was 18 years old, his uncle, grand chancellor Mikhail Illarionovich Vorontsov, sent him to Strasbourg, Paris and Madrid to train him in diplomacy. Under Peter III, Alexander Vorontsov represented Russia at the British royal court, and in 1802 Alexander I appointed him imperial chancellor. Vorontsov was known for his support of a relationship between Russia and Great Britain and his criticism of Napoleon Bonaparte. Vorontsov retired in 1804 and died on December 2, 1805.
Count Semen Romanovich Vorontsov, 1744-1832, was Alexander Romanovich's brother and a diplomat. In 1783, he was appointed Russian minister at Vienna, but in 1785 was transferred to London, where he would live for the remainder of his life. While living in England, Vorontsov acquainted himself with the English way of life, and thus was able to renew the commercial treaty between Great Britain and Russia in 1793. In 1796, he was promoted to the rank of ambassador extraordinary, but Emperor Paul I stripped him of his post and property in 1800. Alexander I reinstated Vorontsov to his position, but Vorontsov resigned in 1806 due to ill health and family matters. He continued to live in London until his death in 1832.
Ivan Larionovich Vorontsov-Dashkov, fl. 1814, was a relative of the Vorontsov brothers. He inherited a portion of the estate of their sister Princess Ekaterina Romanova (Vorontsov) Dashkova, 1743-1810, the first woman to head a national academy of sciences and a close friend of Empress Catherine the Great.
- Scope and Content:
This collection consists of the correspondence of Count Aleksandr Romanovich Vorontsov, 1741-1805, imperial chancellor to Alexander I, Emperor of Russia; his brother, Count Semen Romanovich Vorontsov, 1744-1832, Russian ambassador to Vienna and London; and Ivan Larionovich Vorontsov-Dashkov, fl. 1814, relative of the Vorontsov brothers who inherited a portion of the estate of their sister Princess Ekaterina Romanova (Vorontsov) Dashkova, 1743-1810; to their bankers in London: Thomson, Peters, Bonard and Thomson of Broad Street and Thomas Raikes of 79 London Wall.
The letters, chiefly in French, are dated 1764, 1784, 1785, 1787, 1794, 1799, 1806, 1810, 1813, and 1814. They are written from The Hague, Venice, St. Petersburg, Pisa, Frankfurt, Brussels, Harley Street in London, Richmond, Southampton, Berners Street and 33 Welbeck Street in London. Four letters are in English, and several notes in English, including the draft of a reply by the banker, are appended to the letters in French. One letter is from Johann Facius, bookseller in Brussels, who is forwarding some books to London in 1785. A fine example of the red wax seal with the Vorontsov family motto Semper Immota Fides ("Always Unwavering Loyalty") can be found on the letter of April 5/16, 1794. Some of the letters are dated using both the Julian and Gregorian calendars; the latter is used for the purposes of indexing this collection.
The Vorontsov family, signing their name as Woronzow, write concerning their financial accounts, the importing of wine, tobacco, and tea, a move from Pisa to London via Frankfurt, and the shipment of a set of armoires. James Smirnove, the priest of the Russian Embassy Church in London, often is entrusted with securing the sums of money for the weekly expenses.
One of the Middle Hill boards which accompany the letters has a notation by Sir Thomas Phillipps, "Some curious and interesting letters," and the letter of January 6/17, 1785, bears the Phillipps number 58343. The collection was once a part of the library of Count Bobrinskoy.
- Acquisition information:
- Purchase: 1972
- Arrangement:
The collection is arranged chronologically.
- Physical location:
- Lilly - Stacks
Access
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
This collection is open for research.
Many collections are housed offsite; retrieval requires advance notice. Please make an appointment a minimum of one week in advance of your visit.
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
Photography and digitization may be restricted for some collections. Copyright restrictions may apply. Before publishing, researchers are responsible for securing permission from all applicable rights holders, then filling out the Permission to Publish form.
- PREFERRED CITATION:
-
[Item], Vorontsov mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
-
1200 East Seventh StreetBloomington, Indiana 47405-5500, USA
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- CONTACT:
-
(812) 855-2452liblilly@indiana.edu