1. Early Life and Career
2. Entering Diplomacy
3. China and the Boxer Rebellion
4. Consul in Tianjian
5. Consul General in Persia
6. Minister to China
7. Russo-Mongolian Agreement
8. Scandal and Dismissal
9. Diplomatic Recovery
10. Later Years
11. Emigration and Death

Early Life and Career

A Noble Diplomat

Ivan Ivanovich Korostovets was a Russian diplomat and orientalist born into nobility in the Poltava Governorate. He graduated from the prestigious Imperial Alexander Lyceum in 1884.

Entering Diplomacy

Korostovets' diplomatic career began in the Asian Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. By 1890, he was appointed Second Secretary of the diplomatic mission in Beijing. He later served as Secretary of the mission in Rio de Janeiro (1894) and Lisbon (1896).

China and the Boxer Rebellion

Duty in Port Arthur

In 1899, Korostovets was assigned as a diplomatic officer in the Kwantung Oblast. He served in Port Arthur, where he witnessed the Boxer Rebellion firsthand.

Consul in Tianjian

During the rebellion, Korostovets was sent to Tianjin with Vice Admiral E. I. Alekseev's staff. In the absence of a consul, he temporarily managed Russian consular affairs from August 5 to September 7, 1901.

Consul General in Persia

Returning to diplomatic service, Korostovets was appointed Consul General in Bushire in April 1902. Later, he participated in the Russian delegation at the Portsmouth Peace Conference with Japan in 1905.

Minister to China

Appointment as Minister

Following the death of Russian Minister to China D. D. Pokotilov, Korostovets was chosen as his successor in 1908. He was tasked with pursuing a friendly policy towards China while protecting Russia's interests.

Russo-Mongolian Agreement

In 1912, Korostovets was entrusted with a diplomatic mission to Urga (now Ulaanbaatar), where he signed an agreement recognizing the autonomy of Outer Mongolia. This act marked a significant diplomatic success for Imperial Russia.

Scandal and Dismissal

Romantic Involvement

Korostovets' career was marred by a scandal involving his affair with a young woman named Angelina Piri. This led to his dismissal from his post in 1913.

Diplomatic Recovery

Despite the scandal, Korostovets negotiated the situation and was allowed to continue his diplomatic career. He served as Minister to Persia from 1913 to 1915.

Later Years

Member of Foreign Ministry Council

After the dismissal, Korostovets became a member of the Council of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He refused to collaborate with the Bolsheviks after the October Revolution.

Emigration and Death

Korostovets emigrated to Finland and later resided in Berlin. He published his memoirs in Beijing in 1921. He passed away in Paris in 1933.

Ambassador