2020-03-02 Mon

Nicholas, I was Emperor of Russia reigning from 1825 until his death in 1855. He was also the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Finland. For his reactionary policies, he has been called the emperor who froze Russia for 30 years.

Nicholas was born on 6th July 1796 to Grand Duke Paul and Grand Duchess Maria. He was the younger brother of his predecessor, Alexander I. His reign marked by geographical expansion, economic growth and massive industrialization.

Nicholas was instrumental in helping to create an independent Greek state. He ended the Russo-Turkish War of 1828–1829 successfully as well. Nicholas died on 2 March 1855, during the Crimean War, at the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. On the eve of his death, the Russian Empire reached its geographical zenith, spanning over 20 million square kilometers but had a desperate need for reform. He was buried in the Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg.

Depicted here is Nicholas I "Family Ruble" (1836) depicting the Tsar on the obverse and his family on the reverse. Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna in the center surrounded (clockwise from the top) by Alexander II as Tsarevich, Maria, Olga, Nicholas, Michael, Konstantin, and Alexandra.

Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org