Alexey Girs Staff Captain of the Life Guards Preobrazhensky Regiment Date of Birth: 17.03.1871

1. Lieutenant General of the Imperial Russian Court
2. Early Life and Military Career
3. Civil Career
4. Governor of Minsk
5. Governor of Nizhny Novgorod
6. Arrest and Release
7. Emigration and Social Activities
8. Later Life and Legacy

Lieutenant General of the Imperial Russian Court

Alexei Fyodorovich Girs was a Lieutenant General in the Life Guards Preobrazhensky Regiment, Chamberlain of the Imperial Court, and Actual State Councilor. He was a prominent public figure, serving as the Marshal of Nobility for the Kovno and Minsk Governorates. He later served as Governor of Kiev (1908-1911), Minsk (1912-1915), and Nizhny Novgorod (1915-1918).

Early Life and Military Career

Girs belonged to an old Swedish noble family. He graduated from the Imperial Pages' Corps on August 5, 1891, and joined the Life Guards Preobrazhensky Regiment. After a decade of service, he retired from the military.

Civil Career

Girs began his civil career as a District Marshal of Nobility in the Kovno and Minsk Governorates. During his term as Governor of Kiev, an assassination attempt on Prime Minister Stolypin occurred. Although the investigation exonerated Girs, it tarnished his reputation. He was subsequently transferred to Minsk.

Governor of Minsk

Girs served as Governor of Minsk from November 26, 1912, to April 30, 1915. His tenure coincided with World War I, and Minsk became a major center for hospitals. With his wife, Girs converted their home into a 50-bed hospital for the Red Cross. Emperor Nicholas II visited the hospital in 1914 and awarded George Crosses to wounded soldiers.

Governor of Nizhny Novgorod

In 1915, Girs was appointed Governor of Nizhny Novgorod. The city faced wartime challenges and revolutionary unrest. Girs sought support from merchants and donated his own family jewels to alleviate poverty. He established Nizhny Novgorod University and coordinated the evacuation of factories and defense industries. Despite the tense atmosphere, he resolved labor conflicts peacefully.

Arrest and Release

On March 2, 1917, the local Soviet ordered Girs' arrest. Despite his loyalty and kindness, the Bolsheviks detained him. He was transferred to Moscow but was released two days later by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Provisional Government. He returned to Nizhny Novgorod.

Emigration and Social Activities

Girs eventually emigrated to Estonia and became Vice-Governor of Reval. In 1924, he moved to France. He was a member of several organizations, including the Union of Former Officers of the Life Guards Preobrazhensky Regiment, the Union of Nobles, and the Society for the Protection of Russian Cultural Values. He supported youth organizations and chaired the Board of Trustees of the National Organization of Knights (NOV).

Later Life and Legacy

In 1943, Girs was elected to the Parish Council of the Holy Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Paris. He authored memoirs and produced decorations for ballets. He played a role in organizing the 250th anniversary of St. Petersburg. He passed away on February 11, 1958, in Paris and was buried in the Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois Cemetery.