Demidov

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For other uses of "Demidov", see Demidov (disambiguation).

Coat of arms of Prince Anatole Demidoff.

The Demidovs (Russian: Деми́довы) were probably the richest Russian people after the Tsar in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Their progenitor, Demid Antufiev, was a free blacksmith from Tula, where their family necropolis is preserved as a museum. His son Nikita Demidov (March 26, 1656 - November 17, 1725) made his fortune by his skill in the manufacture of weapons, and established an iron foundry for the government. Peter the Great, with whom he was a favorite, ennobled him in 1720. For two centuries, the Demidov plants produced a large portion of Russia's iron and steel. The Palace of Westminster was one of many notable buildings constructed of Demidov metal products.

Nikita's son, Akinfiy Demidov (1678-1745), increased his inherited wealth by the discovery and working of gold, silver and copper mines. He also founded the Siberian town of Barnaul, whose central square still bears his name. His nephew, Pavel Grigoryevich Demidov (1738-1821), was a great traveller and benefactor of Russian scientific education who befriended Carolus Linnaeus and Pallas. He established the Demidov Lyceum in Yaroslavl, the Demidov chair in Natural history at Moscow University, and founded an annual prize for Russian literature, awarded by the Academy of Sciences. A bronze monument to him was installed in Yaroslavl in 1828.

Statue of Nikolay Demidov, by Thorvaldsen.

Pavel's nephew, Nikolay Nikitich Demidov (1774-1828), fought in the Finnish War with distinction, raised and commanded a regiment to oppose Napoleon's invasion of Russia, and carried on the accumulation of the family wealth from mining; he contributed liberally to the erection of four bridges in St Petersburg, and to the propagation of scientific culture in Moscow.

Pavel's son, Anatole Demidov (1812-1870), was a well-known traveller and patron of art. In 1837, he acquired the Italian title of Prince de San Donato and married Princess Mathilde, daughter of Jerome Bonaparte. His villa is a minor landmark of Florence. His great grand nephew, Crown Prince Pavel, was regent of Yugoslavia between 1934 and 1941.

Alexander Demidov's chateau in Taitsy near Gatchina (1773-76) was designed by his brother-in-law, Ivan Starov.

[edit] See also

Sancy - the most famous of diamonds, in possession of the Demidovs from 1828 to 1865
Leaning Tower of Nevyansk - a tower commissioned by Akinfiy Demidov
Demidov Prize - the oldest scientific award established in 1831 by Pavel Nikolaevich Demidov
The Last Day of Pompeii - a painting commissioned by Anatole Demidov
The Execution of Lady Jane Grey - another painting from his collection
Chicken Demidoff - a food named after Prince Anatole