Prince Alexey Fyodorovich Orlov (commonly known as Alexei Orlov) was born in Russia on October 30 (October 19) 1787 and died on June 2 (May 21), 1862. Alexei Orlov was a military officer and influential statesman adviser in domestic and foreign affairs to famous Russian emperors Nicholas I and Alexander II.
Family of Alexei Orlov
Alexei Orlov was the illegitimate son to count Fyodor Gigoryevich. The latter took part in the rise of Catherine II to power in 1762. Alexei Orlov was the nephew of Catherine II (Catherine, the great), the longest-reigning empress in Russia. Alexei Orlov was educated under the supervision of Catherine II, and he joined the army during the Napoleon wars in 1804.
The rise of a Russian Influencer
Upon joining the army, Alexei Orlov took part in all Russian Campaigns whereby he opposed the ideas of many Russian officials. This included that of his brother General Mikhail Fyodorovich Orlov.
Prince Alexey took part in the napoleon wars from 1805 until the capture of Paris in 1805. The Prince served as commander of the during the rebellion of 1825.
As the general of the cavalry regiment, Alexei Orlov suppressed the uprising of the Decembrist movement, which was fighting for a constitutional system. And in appreciation to his service, in the cavalry regiment of the Horse Life Guards, the Alexei Orlov was awarded the title of Count. He also drew another honor from his participation in the Turkish war of 1828 to 1829. On this occasion, he was promoted to lieutenant general. In this capacity, he also took part in suppressing the Polish uprising of 1830–31.
During his term as the lieutenant general, prince Alexei Orlov began his career as a diplomat. First, he participated in the peace of Adrianople as the Russian plenipotentiary. He was later appointed as the Russian ambassador at Constantinople in 1833. During his service at Constantinople, Alexei Orlov was still the commander in chief of the Black Sea Fleet.
Achievements of Alexei Orlov
Alexei Orlov was among the pioneers of one of the most trusted agents of Emperor Nicholas I. In this capacity, the Prince had the pleasure of accompanying the emperor on his foreign tour. He was also serving on a secret committee that advocated for minor reforms for the peasantry.
Alexei Orlov was the head of the infamous third section referred to as the secret police during 1844 and 1856. As the chief of the third department of the imperial chancellery, Alexei Orlov spent a lot of time around the emperor drawing immense influence over the leader.
Another achievement of Alexei Orlov was during the Crimean war of 1853 to 1856 when he traveled to Viena and Austria to Russia. However, this mission failed.
Alexei Orlov became part of the plenipotentiaries who took part in the conclusion of the Paris war in 1856. On this occasion, allied with Turkey (Treaty of Hünkâr İskelesi; 1833) helped secure the southern frontier while bringing more tension between Russia and its neighbors: France and Great Britain.
Prince Orlov
Alexei Orlov returned to Russia just after the Crimean war. The new emperor Alexander II’s acknowledged his accomplishments by awarding him the title of Prince. At this rank, Alexei Orlov was appointed as the president of the Imperial Council of state. He also had the pleasure of being the president of the council of ministries.
In 1857, in the absence of Emperor Alexander II, Alexei Orlov presided over the commission formed to look into the questioning of the emancipation of the serfs. During the event, the prince presented a lot of hostility.
Alexei Orlov was, however, unable to stop the emancipation that took place months before his death. Prince died in Saint Petersburg in 1861.
