Emperor Nicholas I

More than a century and a half has passed since the death of Nicholas I, but even today, in St. Petersburg's Isaac Square, the equestrian sculpture of the Russian autocrat stands tall. The hand of vandalism did not dare to touch it even during the times of rampant Red Terror and state Russophobia. Unfortunately, this cannot be said about the image conveyed by history in distorted, almost caricature-like descriptions of the Emperor and his time. The outstanding historian A. N. Bokhanov was the first to have the courage to restore the historical truth about the personality and reign of Nicholas Pavlovich, whose rule coincided with the most challenging years for Russia in the 19th century.