# Grand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich of Russia

> Russian grand duke (1859-1919); eldest child of Grand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of Russia and Princess Cecilie of Baden

**Wikidata**: [Q535400](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q535400)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Duke_Nicholas_Mikhailovich_of_Russia)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/grand-duke-nicholas-mikhailovich-of-russia

## Summary
Grand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich of Russia (1859-1919) was a member of the Russian imperial family who served as a historian, lepidopterist, military personnel, and entomologist during the final years of the Russian Empire, holding aristocratic status and being educated at the Saint Petersburg Academy of Sciences.

## Biography
- Born: April 14, 1859
- Nationality: Russia
- Education: Saint Petersburg Academy of Sciences (1724-1917)
- Known for: Historian, lepidopterist, military personnel, entomologist, and aristocrat
- Employer(s): Russian Empire (as grand duke), Saint Petersburg Academy of Sciences
- Field(s): History, entomology, lepidopterology, military

## Contributions
Grand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich contributed to historical scholarship through his research and publications on Russian imperial history. He specialized in the study of Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) as a lepidopterist and entomologist, documenting various species within the Russian Empire. His military service included participation in significant conflicts of the era, including World War I. He received various honors and decorations from the Russian Empire and foreign states.

## FAQs
- **What was Grand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich's primary occupation?** He served as a historian, lepidopterist, military personnel, and entomologist while maintaining his aristocratic status as a member of the Russian imperial family.
- **Where did he receive his education?** He was educated at the Saint Petersburg Academy of Sciences, which operated from 1724 to 1917.
- **What was his position within the Russian imperial family?** He held the title of Grand Duke, being the seventh member of the Romanov family (Рома́нов-7).
- **What specific fields did he specialize in?** His work focused on history, the study of Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), and entomology (insects), with military service also being part of his career.

## Why They Matter
Grand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich played a role in documenting the final years of the Russian Empire through his historical research, contributing to the understanding of imperial Russian history. His work as a lepidopterist and entomologist added to the scientific knowledge of the region's biodiversity. His military service during World War I provided insights into the experiences of the Russian aristocracy during the empire's collapse. His contributions helped preserve aspects of Russian imperial culture and scientific knowledge during a period of significant political change.

## Notable For
- Received the Order of St. Andrew, the highest order of the Russian Empire
- Received the Order of the White Eagle, a military decoration of the Russian Empire
- Received the Gold Sword for Bravery, awarded for acts of valor
- Was educated at the Saint Petersburg Academy of Sciences
- Received foreign honors including the Order of the Crown from Württemberg and the Order of the Elephant from Denmark
- Was a member of the Romanov family, specifically the seventh in line (Рома́нов-7)
- Served as a military personnel during World War I
- Received the Pour le Mérite from the Kingdom of Prussia

## Body
### Early Life and Family
Grand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich was born on April 14, 1859, as a member of the Russian imperial family. He was the seventh in line of the Romanov dynasty (Рома́нов-7), with the identifier Q535400 in Wikidata. His full name was Николай Михайлович (Nikolai Mikhailovich), and he was also known by the alias Nikolai Romanov.

### Education and Academic Pursuits
He received his education at the Saint Petersburg Academy of Sciences, which operated from 1724 to 1917. This institution was a prominent center for scientific research and scholarship in the Russian Empire. His academic pursuits included historical studies, entomology, and lepidopterology.

### Professional Roles
Nicholas Mikhailovich served multiple roles during his lifetime:
- **Historian**: He contributed to the documentation of Russian imperial history through scholarly research and publications.
- **Lepidopterist**: He specialized in the study of Lepidoptera, documenting various butterfly and moth species within the Russian Empire.
- **Entomologist**: His work focused on the study of insects, contributing to the understanding of the region's biodiversity.
- **Military Personnel**: He served in the Russian military, participating in World War I.
- **Aristocrat**: As a member of the imperial family, he held the title of Grand Duke and maintained aristocratic status.

### Career and Affiliations
Throughout his career, Nicholas Mikhailovich was affiliated with several institutions:
- **Russian Empire**: He served as a grand duke within the imperial family structure.
- **Saint Petersburg Academy of Sciences**: He was educated at this institution and likely maintained connections throughout his life.
- **Russian Imperial Military**: He served as military personnel, participating in significant conflicts including World War I.

### Awards and Recognition
He received numerous honors and decorations from the Russian Empire and foreign states:
- **Order of St. Andrew**: The highest order of the Russian Empire, established in 1698.
- **Order of the White Eagle**: A military decoration of the Russian Empire, established in 1831.
- **Gold Sword for Bravery**: Awarded for acts of valor in 1720.
- **Foreign honors**: Received the Pour le Mérite from the Kingdom of Prussia, the Order of the Crown from Württemberg, and the Order of the Elephant from Denmark.

### Later Life and Legacy
Nicholas Mikhailovich died on January 24 or 29, 1919, during the final years of the Russian Empire. His contributions to history, entomology, and military service provided valuable insights into the Russian imperial period. His work helped preserve aspects of Russian scientific and cultural heritage during a time of significant political upheaval.

### Specific Contributions
His contributions included:
- Historical research documenting the Russian Empire's final years
- Scientific documentation of Lepidoptera species in the Russian Empire
- Military service during World War I
- Receipt of multiple imperial and foreign decorations

### Context of the Russian Empire
Nicholas Mikhailovich lived during the period when the Russian Empire was transitioning from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy following the 1905 revolution. His life spanned from 1859 to 1919, encompassing the empire's dissolution following the February Revolution and subsequent October Revolution in 1917.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. LIBRIS. 2012
3. BnF authorities
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. Writers of St. Petersburg. XX century
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. La France savante
8. Sejm-Wielki.pl
9. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands