Sex, Lies and Career. Piquant Motifs of the Lives of Russian Dignitaries

On the eve of World War I, western peripheries Russian Empire were home to diasporas officials, military men and their families. Being isolated from local communities but at same time highly hierarchically organised, they functioned solely within own circle. Everyone knew one another most intimate detail. Nevertheless, private lives often failed meet requirements imposed on officials residing in borderland, which was reflected reports gendarmerie memoirs, silenced official documents institutions. Every once a while, lucky historian happens stumble upon an opportunity look event different angles through various types sources. By presenting cases informal relations dignitaries (governors vice-governors) with women Kingdom Poland, article analyses impact life career. The author introduces reader characters three middle ranking scale empire hierarchy. first, Mikhail Viktorovich Seletsky, vice-governor Lublin, despite his very good education qualifications, committed suicide as result unhappy love for governor’s daughter. second, Ivan Dmitrievich Zaushkevich, Sedlets, ruined by scandal mistresses, Jewish sisters, whom he had children. In contrast, third, Semyon Nikolaevich Korf, governor Lomzhа then Warsaw, rather licentious behavior, made relatively career, only temporarily stopped stay German captivity. presented examples show discrepancy between image representative power conservative ideology everyday life, especially sexual life. So, hand, way did not differ social norms time, already quite free turn 19th 20th centuries, edge Empire. other criticized superiors political police.