Konstantin Konstantinovich Romanov (1858-1915)

Russian Royalty. Grand Duke Constantin Konstantinovich was the second son of Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaevich of Russia and his wife Aleksandra Iosifovvna, the grandson of Czar Nicholas I of Russia. He served in the Imperial Russian Navy with distinction and took a great interest in literature, art and music. He became a poet and playwright of some renown under his pen name of "K.R." (his transliterated initials); he was also a talented pianist and counted Tchaikovsky among his closest friends. In 1884 he married a second cousin, Princess Elisabeth of Saxe-Altenburg, who subsequently became the Grand Duchess Elizabeth Mavrikevna. Nine children were born to this union. According to many sources, including the Grand Duke's own diaries, he struggled to cope with his bisexuality, which he called his "main sin". When World War I broke out in 1914, he and his wife were visiting Germany for health reasons and had great difficulty returning home. In his weakened condition he had to walk through battle lines into Russia, and his health never recovered from the ordeal. Five of his six sons served in the war, and the death of his fourth son Oleg in combat was a final blow to his spirits. Constantine died soon afterwards, which spared him the horrendous suffering that would be visited upon his family during the subsequent Russian Revolution.

Bio by: Linda Davis