# Alexander Samoylov > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Alexander_Samoylov > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Alexander_Samoylov.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Samoylov > Source revision: 1338651766 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Russian statesman and general (1744–1814) This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please help improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (March 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Portrait of Count Alexander Samoylov *Portrait of Alexander Samoylov* by [Johann Baptist von Lampi the Elder](/source/Johann_Baptist_von_Lampi_the_Elder) ([Hermitage](/source/The_State_Hermitage_Museum)) [Count](/source/Count) **Alexander Nikolayevich Samoylov**[a] ([Russian](/source/Russian_language): Александр Николаевич Самойлов; 1744 – 1 November 1814) was a Russian general and statesman. He distinguished himself in the [Russo-Turkish War of 1787–1792](/source/Russo-Turkish_War_of_1787%E2%80%931792) and was the [prosecutor general of the Russian Empire](/source/Prosecutor_general_of_the_Russian_Empire). He was a relative of [Grigory Potemkin](/source/Grigory_Potemkin). ## Biography Alexander Samoylov was born into the family of senator Nikolay Samoylov. He started his military service in 1760 as a soldier of [Leib-Guard](/source/Leib-Guard) [Semyonovsky Regiment](/source/Semyonovsky_Regiment). Later he was moved to the frontline forces and took part in the [Russo-Turkish War, 1768–1774](/source/Russo-Turkish_War%2C_1768%E2%80%931774) and, for his part in the taking of [Silistra](/source/Silistra), received the [Order of St. George](/source/Order_of_Saint_George_(Russia)) of 4th degree. The rise to power of his relative [Prince Potemkin](/source/Prince_Potemkin) led to a comital title being bestowed upon Samoilov in 1775. After that, he obtained quick promotion: in 1775 he was appointed a member of commission for the trial of [Yemelyan Pugachev](/source/Yemelyan_Pugachev). Also he was promoted to *kamer-yunker* ([cadet](/source/Cadet)) and became the chairman of the [State Council of Imperial Russia](/source/State_Council_of_Imperial_Russia), which existed in the reign of [Catherine II](/source/Catherine_II_of_Russia) in 1776–1787. In 1783 he commanded the [Crimean](/source/Crimean) [Chasseur](/source/Chasseur) Corps and was prominent in the campaign that led to the [annexation of the Crimean Khanate by the Russian Empire](/source/Annexation_of_the_Crimean_Khanate_by_the_Russian_Empire). He was [Lieutenant-General](/source/Lieutenant-General) during the [Russo-Turkish War, 1787–1792](/source/Russo-Turkish_War%2C_1787%E2%80%931792), commanding five infantry regiments, two corps of chasseurs, seven [Cossack](/source/Cossack) regiments, and forty cannons. In 1788, he distinguished himself in the [taking of Ochakov](/source/Siege_of_Ochakov_(1788)) and was awarded the Order of St. George of 2nd degree. In 1789 he took part in the taking of [Bendery](/source/Bendery) and [Kaushany](/source/Kaushany), serving under Prince Potemkin. He received the [Order of Alexander Nevsky](/source/Order_of_Alexander_Nevsky) for that campaign. On 12 December 1790, he commanded the left wing of the army of [Alexander Suvorov](/source/Alexander_Suvorov) in the [storm of Izmail](/source/Siege_of_Izmail) and was awarded the [Order of St. Vladimir](/source/Order_of_St._Vladimir) of 1st degree. For his efforts in bringing about the peace treaty with the [Ottoman Empire](/source/Ottoman_Empire), Catherine II personally decorated him with the [Order of St. Andrew](/source/Order_of_St._Andrew). On 17 September 1792, he was appointed [Prosecutor General of the Russian Empire](/source/Prosecutor_General_of_the_Russian_Empire) of the [Senate](/source/Governing_Senate), replacing the seriously ill prince [Alexander Vyazemsky](/source/Alexander_Vyazemsky). Upon his accession to the throne, emperor [Paul I](/source/Paul_I_of_Russia) dismissed Samoylov. Alexander Samoilov married princess [Troubetzkoy](/source/Troubetzkoy) and had one son, Nicholas, who did not leave issue from his marriage to [Countess Yuliya Skavronsky](/source/Yuliya_Samoylova_(countess)). [General Raevsky](/source/General_Raevsky) was his nephew. ## Notes 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Known as **Aleksandr Nikolaevich Samoilov** as well (see [Romanization of Russian](/source/Romanization_of_Russian)). ## Sources - This article incorporates text from a publication now in the [public domain](/source/Public_domain): ["Самойлов, Александр Николаевич"](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/ru:%D0%AD%D0%A1%D0%91%D0%95/%D0%A1%D0%B0%D0%BC%D0%BE%D0%B9%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%B2,_%D0%90%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B4%D1%80_%D0%9D%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87). *[Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary](/source/Brockhaus_and_Efron_Encyclopedic_Dictionary)* (in Russian). 1906. - *This article includes content derived from the [Russian Biographical Dictionary](/source/Russian_Biographical_Dictionary), 1896–1918.* ## External links - (in Russian) [Biography at the Official site of the Office of Public Prosecutor](https://web.archive.org/web/20060131215420/http://www.genproc.gov.ru/ru/about/history/historiy/index.shtml?show_item=59) Preceded by Alexander Vyazemsky Generals-Prosecutor 1792 – 1796 Succeeded by Alexey Kurakin Authority control databases VIAF --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Alexander Samoylov](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Samoylov) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Samoylov?action=history)). 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