Alison K. Smith
@profaks.bsky.social
(Russian) history prof at the University of Toronto and (very) occasional blogger at russianhistoryblog.org. Mostly posts things from research and teaching. She/her.
Sir James Harris, British envoy to St. Petersburg, in a letter back to London, May 24/June 4, 1779.
November 13, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Sir James Harris, British envoy to St. Petersburg, in a letter back to London, May 24/June 4, 1779.
“On the other hand, to those who reside in this Empire, and who perceive the unaccountable and imperfect manner in which all their plans are traced, and the improper instruments selected for their execution, it must be a matter of astonishment that they do not fail in everything they undertake.”
November 13, 2025 at 6:20 PM
“On the other hand, to those who reside in this Empire, and who perceive the unaccountable and imperfect manner in which all their plans are traced, and the improper instruments selected for their execution, it must be a matter of astonishment that they do not fail in everything they undertake.”
“To those who live out of Russia, and who only can form their judgment of it from the great events its interference and weight everywhere produce, it must appear as if it was conducted with superior judgment, and defective in no one essential point of its government.”
November 13, 2025 at 6:20 PM
“To those who live out of Russia, and who only can form their judgment of it from the great events its interference and weight everywhere produce, it must appear as if it was conducted with superior judgment, and defective in no one essential point of its government.”
He then later shared the news report that Lavrov’s gift to the new president was going to be a lap dog.
February 28, 2025 at 8:58 PM
He then later shared the news report that Lavrov’s gift to the new president was going to be a lap dog.
Also I honestly did not realize how much of a problem wolves were in nineteenth-century Russia.
February 28, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Also I honestly did not realize how much of a problem wolves were in nineteenth-century Russia.
I wish I could say that surprised me but it totally doesn't -- it really was!
February 28, 2025 at 4:10 PM
I wish I could say that surprised me but it totally doesn't -- it really was!
It is a bonkers take. Making music with other people is the best.
January 13, 2025 at 3:20 PM
It is a bonkers take. Making music with other people is the best.
Honestly the thing that might turn me into a diplomatic historian is all the snark.
January 3, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Honestly the thing that might turn me into a diplomatic historian is all the snark.