imperial-russia: Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaevich, second son of the Emperor Nicholas II The strick
imperial-russia: Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaevich, second son of the Emperor Nicholas II The strick discipline enforced by [Fyodor Litke] was an attempt to smooth over the fervid temper and the uncontrollable energy of his pupil. [Grand Duchess] Olga blamed his attitude: “He often remained silent for days long, feelings so much insulted and angry about such a manner of his upbringing, and, at 20 years old, he decided to marry to get rid of the educational burdens. Thus, straight from a nursery he found himself a husband, lacking any experience, without a chance to immerse in pleasures of youth or to enjoy companionship.” Litke succeeded in instilling in him endurance and cold-blooded grit in moments of danger. In the summer of 1854, a boat of American construction sank, which Konstantin and his adjutants were sailing to Kronstadt for testing, and he was the one of the crew to swim to the rescue craft without assistance, whilst some of the crew drowned. Later Litke managed to involve Konstantin into the work of the recently formed Geographical Society, which was attended by leading economists, explorers and philosophers. Konstantin completed his first sea voyage abroad before reaching age of nineteen, journeying to Constantinople and then on to France, Spain and England. The Grand Duke´s visit to Turkish Sultan was sketched by the artist Ivan Aivazovsky. By using his diary with astute observations, Konstantin published his essays with detailed descriptions of the lands and countries that he had seen, displaying his power of imagination, intelligence and considerable writing skills. Zoia Belyakova in The Grand Dukes -- source link
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