Chernyshev, Alexander

Prince Alexander Ivanovich Chernyshyov, General of Cavalry (1827), was a Russian military leader, diplomat and statesman, whose career began in the Napoleonic Wars. After the Battle of Austerlitz (1805), he carried out successful diplomatic missions to France and Sweden and served with distinction in battles of 1812 and 1813. Chernyshyov rose through the ranks to the role of Russian Minister of War (1827–1852), member and chairman of the State Council (1827–1856) and Cabinet of Ministers (1828–1856), and acquired the styles from Count (1826) to Serene Prince (1849).