# Alexander Ulyanov

> Russian revolutionary and activist (1866–1887)

**Wikidata**: [Q333241](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q333241)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleksandr_Ulyanov)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alexander-ulyanov

## Summary

Alexander Ilyich Ulyanov was a Russian revolutionary and activist who lived from March 31, 1866, to May 8, 1887. He was a student at Saint Petersburg State University and is notable for his revolutionary activities within the Russian Empire during the late 19th century. An asteroid, 2112 Ulyanov, bears his name in recognition of his legacy.

## Biography

- **Born:** March 31, 1866
- **Died:** May 8, 1887
- **Nationality:** Russian Empire
- **Citizenship:** Russian Empire
- **Education:** Saint Petersburg State University
- **Known for:** Revolutionary activities and activism in the Russian Empire
- **Occupation:** Revolutionary, Activist
- **Field(s):** Political activism, Revolutionary movement
- **Aliases:** Alexander Ilyich Ulyanov
- **Russian name:** Александр Ильич Ульянов

## Contributions

Alexander Ulyanov was involved in revolutionary activities during a period of significant political tension in the Russian Empire. As a student at Saint Petersburg State University—a prestigious institution founded in 1724—he became engaged in political activism against the autocratic monarchy. His revolutionary work placed him among the dissenting elements within Russian society who sought political reform during the reign of Tsar Alexander III (1881–1894). The specific details of his revolutionary activities, organizations, and any publications are not detailed in the provided source material.

## FAQs

**What was Alexander Ulyanov's occupation?**
Alexander Ulyanov was a revolutionary and activist in the Russian Empire, dedicating his life to political reform efforts during the late 19th century.

**Where did Alexander Ulyanov receive his education?**
He was educated at Saint Petersburg State University, one of Russia's oldest and most prestigious higher education institutions, which was founded in 1724.

**When did Alexander Ulyanov live?**
He was born on March 31, 1866, and died on May 8, 1887, making his lifespan just over 21 years.

**What is the asteroid 2112 Ulyanov?**
The asteroid 2112 Ulyanov is a celestial body named in honor of Alexander Ulyanov, recognizing his historical significance as a Russian revolutionary.

**What was Alexander Ulyanov's nationality?**
He was a citizen of the Russian Empire, which existed from 1721 to 1917 and was ruled by a series of emperors including Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, and Nicholas II.

## Why They Matter

Alexander Ulyanov represents the generation of young Russian intellectuals who challenged the autocratic rule of the Russian Empire in the late 19th century. His life and activities occurred during a transformative period in Russian history, coinciding with the reign of Tsar Alexander III and the aftermath of the assassination of Tsar Alexander II in 1881. The revolutionary movement in which he participated laid the groundwork for the political upheavals that would eventually culminate in the Russian Revolution of 1917. His early death at age 21 marked him as a symbol of youthful sacrifice in the struggle against tsarist autocracy. The naming of asteroid 2112 Ulyanov in his honor demonstrates the lasting recognition of his contribution to Russian revolutionary history.

## Notable For

- Being a Russian revolutionary and activist during the Russian Empire
- Being a student at Saint Petersburg State University
- Living from 1866 to 1887 (age 21 at death)
- Having asteroid 2112 Ulyanov named in his honor
- Being part of the revolutionary movement in late 19th-century Russia

## Body

### Early Life and Background

Alexander Ilyich Ulyanov was born on March 31, 1866, into the Russian Empire during the reign of Tsar Alexander II. His life coincided with a period of significant political tension and reform within Russia, as the empire struggled with questions of modernization and political liberalization following the emancipation of the serfs in 1861. The Russian Empire at the time was one of the largest sovereign states in history, spanning Eurasia and North America (Russian America) until the sale of Alaska to the United States in 1867.

### Education

Ulyanov pursued higher education at Saint Petersburg State University, a prestigious Russian federal higher education institution with origins dating back to 1724. The university served as a center of intellectual and political thought in imperial Russia, attracting students who would later play significant roles in Russian politics and society. Saint Petersburg, the capital of the Russian Empire from 1721 to 1917 (with a brief period where Moscow served as capital from 1728 to 1730), was the epicenter of revolutionary activity and intellectual discourse during Ulyanov's time.

### Revolutionary Activities

As a revolutionary and activist, Ulyanov participated in political movements challenging the autocratic monarchy of the Russian Empire. His revolutionary work occurred during the reign of Tsar Alexander III (1881–1894), who ascended to the throne following the assassination of his father, Alexander II, in 1881. The period was characterized by increased political repression and the implementation of counter-reforms aimed at strengthening autocratic control. Despite these repressive conditions, Ulyanov and other revolutionary activists continued to organize against the tsarist government.

### Legacy and Recognition

Alexander Ulyanov's life, though brief, left a lasting mark on Russian revolutionary history. His death on May 8, 1887, at the age of 21, came during a period of intense political struggle. The asteroid 2112 Ulyanov, discovered in 1972, was named in his honor, recognizing his historical significance. This celestial namesake places him among the notable figures whose contributions have been recognized through astronomical nomenclature. The asteroid is part of the solar system, orbiting between Mars and Jupiter in the main asteroid belt.

### Historical Context

Ulyanov's revolutionary activities took place within the broader context of 19th-century Russian history. The Russian Empire, founded by Peter the Great on October 22, 1721, had evolved from the Tsardom of Russia and existed as an absolute monarchy until reforms following the Russian Revolution of 1905 introduced constitutional monarchy. By the time of Ulyanov's activism, the empire covered approximately 21.8 million square kilometers (as of 1914) and had a population exceeding 178 million people. The empire's official language was Russian, with the Russian Orthodox Church serving as the official religion. The political landscape of the empire during Ulyanov's lifetime was characterized by the tension between reformist elements and the conservative forces supporting autocratic rule, a conflict that would ultimately lead to the empire's dissolution in 1917 following the February and October Revolutions.

## References

1. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
2. Recollections of Yulia I. Faussek (Andrussova). The Publication with Commentary by S.I. Fokin, An introductory Essay by S.I. Fokin and O.B. Vahromeeva
3. general catalog of BnF
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013