Royalty · 1796–1855

Nicholas I of Russia — Age, Birthday & Biography

Born: 6 July 1796 · Died: 2 March 1855 · Age: 58

Emperor of Russia from 1825 to 1855 who crushed the Decembrist revolt, ruled as a strict autocrat and led Russia into the Crimean War

Did you know?He was an engineer by training and took a personal interest in the construction of the first major railway in Russia.

Quick facts

  • Date of birth6 July 1796
  • Date of death2 March 1855
  • Age at death58
  • Cause of deathPneumonia
  • NationalityRussian
  • BirthplaceGatchina, Russia
  • Occupationruler, tsar

Editor's Take:

Nicholas I ruled Russia for 30 years as the empire's most rigid autocrat. He was a younger son of Paul I and never expected to rule. When his brother Alexander I died in 1825, confusion over the succession led army officers to revolt in Saint Petersburg. Nicholas crushed this Decembrist uprising on his first day as emperor, and it shaped his whole reign. He built a powerful secret police and tightened censorship. His motto of Orthodoxy, Autocracy and Nationality set the tone of official life. He crushed a Polish uprising and helped Austria put down the Hungarian revolution. His reign ended in disaster in the Crimean War, and he died in 1855 with Russia close to defeat.

Key Milestones

  1. 1825: Crushes the Decembrist revolt on becoming emperor
  2. 1826: Creates the Third Section secret police
  3. 1831: Suppresses the Polish November Uprising
  4. 1853: Leads Russia into the Crimean War

Nicholas I (6 July 1796 – 2 March 1855) was Emperor of Russia, King of Poland, and Grand Duke of Finland from 1825 to 1855. He was the third son of Paul I and younger brother of his predecessor, Alexander I. Nicholas's 29-year reign began with the failed Decembrist revolt.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Profile

Nicholas I: Russia's Iron Tsar

Emperor of Russia, born 1796

Nicholas I was born at Gatchina on 6 July 1796.

He crushed the Decembrist revolt in 1825.

He ruled Russia for 30 years.

He died in Saint Petersburg on 2 March 1855.

Career highlights

  1. 1825Decembrist revolt: crushed
  2. 1826Third Section: secret police
  3. 1831Polish uprising: suppressed
  4. 1849Hungary: intervention
  5. 1853Crimean War: begins

Did you know?He was the younger brother of Alexander I and the father of Alexander II.

Age at death
58
Years since death
171

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Frequently asked questions

When is Nicholas I of Russia's birthday?
Nicholas I of Russia's birthday is July 6. He was born on July 6, 1796 in Gatchina, Russia.
How old was Nicholas I of Russia when he died?
Nicholas I of Russia died on March 2, 1855, aged 58.
Who shares a birthday with Nicholas I of Russia?
Famous people who share Nicholas I of Russia's July 6 birthday include George W. Bush, Frida Kahlo, Tenzin Gyatso, Sylvester Stallone and Nūrsūltan Nazarbaev.

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Reviewed by the Who Shares My Birthday editorial team.

Last reviewed: October 2026