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Lot Essay
Lieutenant-General Alexander Leslie (1844-1899) was born into a noble Russian family of Scottish descent. The Russian branch of the Leslie Clan was founded by Alexander Leslie of Auchintoul (d. 1663), a mercenary soldier in the Russian army and the first foreigner to achieve the rank of general. Leslie was a seminal figure in the second and third sieges of Smolensk (1632-33, 1654) and in the army reforms of Tsar Aleksey Mikhailovich (1629-1676).
Alexander Leslie was educated at the Zimmerman Pension in Moscow and entered the Chevalier Gardes Regiment in 1863. Advancing rapidly, he served as a commander of the Leib Squadron, which brought him into the circle of court life, and later served as a member of the St Petersburg Military District Tribunal. He then served in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1879. Promoted to major-general, Leslie was posted to Volniya in Western Ukraine and subsequently promoted to lieutenant-general, commanding the 9th Cavalry Division. Leslie was married to Elizabeth Ermolova (d. 1916), a maid of honour to Empress Maria Feodorovna. The couple had three daughters, Elizabeth (b. 1877), Alexandra (b. 1885) and Barbara (b. 1887), the two eldest of whom were maids of honour to Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. The present maid of honour badge was presented to Alexandra Leslie in 1910.
Alexander Leslie was educated at the Zimmerman Pension in Moscow and entered the Chevalier Gardes Regiment in 1863. Advancing rapidly, he served as a commander of the Leib Squadron, which brought him into the circle of court life, and later served as a member of the St Petersburg Military District Tribunal. He then served in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1879. Promoted to major-general, Leslie was posted to Volniya in Western Ukraine and subsequently promoted to lieutenant-general, commanding the 9th Cavalry Division. Leslie was married to Elizabeth Ermolova (d. 1916), a maid of honour to Empress Maria Feodorovna. The couple had three daughters, Elizabeth (b. 1877), Alexandra (b. 1885) and Barbara (b. 1887), the two eldest of whom were maids of honour to Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. The present maid of honour badge was presented to Alexandra Leslie in 1910.