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Alexander I - Eldest son of Tsar Paul I was born in St. Petersburg on December 12, 1777. From childhood, he was greatly influenced by his Grandmother Catherine the Great who brought him up and considered him her successor. He came to the throne after the murder of his father, Paul I, on March 12, 1801. The first half of his reign was marked by a liberal internal policy (reforms of Speransky): His various reforms included a restructuring of the country and an attempt to codify Russian legislation. Later, however, he reversed many of these changes. In 1809 Alexander I (and Russia) defeated Sweden and as a result annexed Finland. Napoleon attacked Russia June 24th 1812. In 1814 Alexander and Russian troops entered Paris after defeating Napoleon. At the Congress of Vienna (1814-1815) Tsar Alexander I was one of the key figures. Alexander died on November 19, 1825, in Taganrog and was buried in the Cathedral of the St. Peter and St. Paul Fortress in St. Petersburg. His deat was very sudden and several roumors claimed he was not dead. There is a story that he secretly abdicated and lived as a monk...