Grigori Rasputin

Guide Note

Grigori Rasputin was a self appointed mystic and faith healer, who Tsarina Alexandra of Russia believed was able to help her son Alexei, who suffered from hemophilia. Recent research indicates that the reason Alexei was more comfortable in Rasputin's presence could merely have been the fact that Rasputin banished all medical doctors and their treatments. Aspirin was widely used as a pain treatment in the early 20th century, and while it is an effective pain reliever, it also has anti-coagulant properties. This would not have been known in Alexei's time, but aspirin would have made his bleeding worse. Consequently, Rasputin's banishing of all medical treatments may actually have been helpful to Alexei.

Rasputin's power to make Alexi comfortable gave him a great deal of access to, and perceived influence over, the royal family. While Nicholas was at the front during World War I, there was a great deal of rumor and innuendo about Rasputin's power over Alexandra. Regardless of whether or not Rasputin was actually influencing the government, the perception of his influence was a factor in the rising discontent and unrest felt by the Russian people towards the monarchy, and may have been a contributing factor in the destabilization of the country, leading to the Russian Revolution.

The nobles of the time were sufficiently concerned that they arranged for his murder in December 1916. That evening has crept into legend, as Rasputin was purportedly very difficult to kill. It took two types of poison, gun shots, and finally throwing him into the Neva River to kill him. When his body was recovered from the Neva three days later, it was found that he had still been alive when thrown in.

Fast Facts

1. AKA: The Mad Monk
2. Born: January 22, 1869
3. Birthplace: Pokrovskoye, Siberia, Russia
4. Married: Praskovia Fedorovna Dubrovina
5. Children: Dmitri (1897), Matryona (1898) (Maria Rasputin), Varvara (1900),and one illegitimate child
6. Both of his siblings drowned
7. When murdered, he was poisoned, shot, beaten and then drowned
8. Name alternately spelled Grigori, Grigory and Gregori
9. Date of death disputed: Reported as December 16, 17 or 29, 1916