Alexander II of Russia (d. 1881)

Talk to Alexander II of Russia

Have a conversation with this historical figure through AI

Biography

Alexander II was Emperor of Russia, King of Poland, and Grand Duke of Finland from 2 March 1855 until his assassination on 13 March 1881. He is also known as Alexander the Liberator because of his historic Edict of Emancipation, which officially abolished Russian serfdom in 1861. Crowned on 7 September 1856, he succeeded his father Nicholas I and was succeeded by his son Alexander III.

In Their Own Words (1)

It is better to abolish serfdom from above than to wait for it to abolish itself from below.

Speech (30 March 1856), as quoted in A Concise History of Russia (1972) by Ronald Hingley. p. 122. , 1972

Timeline

The story of Alexander II of Russia, told in moments.

1861 Event

Signed the Emancipation Edict, freeing roughly 23 million serfs across the Russian Empire. It was the largest single act of emancipation in history. He became known as "Alexander the Liberator."

What did it feel like signing away 23 million serfs' bondage? Did 'Alexander the Liberator' feel earned? Was the Emancipation Edict enough?

1866 Event

Survived the first of six assassination attempts. A bystander bumped the gunman's arm. Alexander went on to reform the courts, ease censorship, and modernize the army.

Did surviving six assassination attempts make you fatalistic or cautious? Was the bystander who bumped the gunman's arm the luckiest moment of your reign?

1881 Death

Killed by a bomb thrown by a member of the People's Will movement in St. Petersburg. The first bomb injured his guards. He got out of his carriage to help them. A second bomber threw at his feet.

Why did you get out of the carriage to help the wounded after the first bomb? Was that compassion or duty? Did you see the second bomber coming?

More from the Victorian Era

Adolf Hitler

1889–1945

Albert Einstein

1879–1955

Mahatma Gandhi

1869–1948

Marie Curie

1867–1934

Sir Winston Churchill

1874–1965

Bertrand Russell

1872–1970

Franklin D. Roosevelt

1882–1945

Harry S. Truman

1884–1972

Explore what happened on the days that shaped Alexander II of Russia's life. Today In History connects historical figures with the events, births, and deaths that defined their era. Browse all historical figures or explore today's events.