Mikhail Dondukov-Korsakov Official of the Ministry of Public Education, Vice President of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences, Privy Councilor Date of Birth: 10.09.1820 Country: Dive

1. Childhood and Education
2. Military Career and Civil Service
3. Service in the Ministry of Public Education
4. Vice-Presidency of the Academy of Sciences
5. Family and Legacy

Childhood and Education

Mikhail Alexandrovich Korsakov, later known as Prince Mikhail Alexandrovich Dondukov-Korsakov, was born into a noble family in Russia. He received his education at the 2nd Cadet Corps.

Military Career and Civil Service

Upon graduating from the Cadet Corps, Korsakov entered the military and served in the Preobrazhensky Life Guards Regiment. He participated in the Patriotic War of 1812 and the Foreign Campaign of 1813-1814. In 1820, he retired from military service with the rank of colonel and was appointed chamberlain to the Imperial Court.

Service in the Ministry of Public Education

In 1833, Prince Dondukov-Korsakov was appointed acting trustee of the St. Petersburg Educational District. The following year, he was confirmed in this position with the rank of actual state councilor. Dondukov's work as trustee, which was considered dry and formal, nevertheless earned the government's approval. Subsequently, he was appointed second vice-president of the Academy of Sciences and chairman of the committee of the Academy's administration (1835), member of the Main Censorship Administration (1838), and chairman of the committee established for the reorganization of the Academy of Sciences (1841). In recognition of his contributions, Dondukov was promoted to privy councilor in 1841.

Vice-Presidency of the Academy of Sciences

Dondukov's new duties prompted him to request a leave of absence from his position as trustee of the St. Petersburg Educational District in 1842, while retaining his position as vice-president of the Academy. He remained in this role until 1852.

Family and Legacy

Prince Dondukov-Korsakov married Princess Maria Nikitichna Dondukova-Korsakova in 1819. They had ten children, including Alexander Mikhailovich, a general who served in the Crimean, Caucasian, and Russo-Turkish wars; Aleksey Mikhailovich, a chamberlain and member of the Smolensk District Court; and Maria Mikhailovna, a social activist.

In 1829, the emperor allowed Dondukov-Korsakov to adopt the coat of arms, title, and surname of the Dondukov princes. He was a noted patron of the arts, and his family's art collection included works by renowned artists such as Guido Reni, Raphael Mengs, and Corot. After the October Revolution, the collection was nationalized and became part of the State Hermitage Museum.