Friday, January 9, 2015

Grand Duke Alexander reported slain

January 9, 1915

An official Turkish statement received in Berlin today reports that Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovitch, brother-in-law of Emperor Nicholas II, was killed in fighting at Miandoab, Persia.  The dispatch was sent by wireless telegraphy from Berlin to Sayville, Long Island/

The Grand Duke was the son of Grand Duke Michael Nicolaivitch, a great uncle of Nicholas II.  He was born at Tiflis in 1866.   At Peterhof Palace in 1894, he married Nicholas' sister, Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna.

Grand Duke Alexander had been a Vice Admiral of the Fleet, and an ADC to the Emperor.  He received his military training in the Crimea.

He was a "warm personal friend and admirer of the late Rear Admiral Mahan," and corresponded with him for several years.

The Grand Duke visited the United States in the fall of 1913.  While in New York City, he agreed to be interviewed by "all reporters who came his way."

He was entertained in Philadelphia and in Newport.  In New York, he spent most of his time as 'Lieut. Romanoff," staying at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.





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