Nikolai Illarionovich Filosofov grew up in a highly cultured environment. All childhood of the future military was spent in creative circles, but his professional choice fell on long journeys and great battles. Nicholas quickly moved up the career ladder. Thanks to his talent and perseverance, he rapidly grew from a full-time cadet to a well-known lieutenant general.
Children and teenagers
Nikolai was born on June 7, 1804. His childhood was spent on Cape Zagvozdie, which was located in the Novoladozhsky district near St. Petersburg. The boy lived in a small family estate, where distinguished guests came from time to time. Among them were researchers, and art historians, and military figures. It was from their speeches and conversations that young Kolya learned a lot about the world structure, politics, and cultural life.
His father, Illarion Nikitich, was known as a poor landowner, a retired engineer-captain, and his mother Pelageya Alekseevna was engaged in household work. In addition, five more children were brought up in the family. Nikolai had an older brother Alexei, who later became a famous adjutant general, as well as four sisters - Natalya, Nadezhda, Ekaterina and Praskovya.
The Philosopher's family opened the doors of their home to the most progressive people of that time. So, for example, the famous polar explorer and hydrograph Gavriil Andreevich Sarychev often visited them. He shared his new findings and spoke firsthand about the geographical features of distant parts of the vast planet. These stories, of course, influenced the worldview of young Nicholas. In the future, he repeatedly used this knowledge while on military campaigns.
It is important to note that Nikolai’s father was well versed in art and tried his best to instill in his son a love of beauty. Patrons and painters often came to their estate, who consulted with him on the design, collecting and sale of paintings. They always listened to the experienced opinion of the landowner, because throughout the country it was known that the Philosophers had an outstanding artistic taste. In addition, their family had a rich literary archive in which the life path of famous writers was recorded. Now many researchers turn to these sources to compile a portrait of various authors. Suppose the biography of Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov was described precisely thanks to the information that Philosopher managed to collect.
Creative Samples
In such a cultural atmosphere, Nikolai’s childhood passed. Some friends of the Filosofosov family believed that in the future the boy would prove himself precisely in the cultural sphere, because even as a child, he tried to write short stories, draw paintings and make various crafts with his own hands.
He was promised the future of a great critic in the field of art and literature, but it cannot be said that all this was really close to Nikolai. He was much more interested in military strategies, reconnaissance expeditions and rigorous combat training.
Career
When Philosopher turned 17 years old, he decided to begin military service. The young man was taken by a junker to the Life Guards of the artillery brigade. There he received an excellent education and acquired a brilliant physical form. Many experienced lieutenants and generals immediately noticed that Nikolai had great potential. And a year later, a diligent soldier managed to get the first officer rank. This meant that now he will finally have to connect his life with long hikes and great battles. However, this did not scare Nicholas, because such adventures only tempered his military character.
In 1828, the officer took part in the Turkish campaign, during which he managed to take the fortress of Varna. Not fearing death, Nikolai was the first to go into battle and motivated the whole army to succeed. After a brilliant operation, he was awarded the Orders of St. Anne and St. Vladimir. Filosofov's parents at that moment were incredibly proud of the successes of their son.
Two years later, Nikolai Illarionovich was promoted to headquarters captain. According to his new duties, he had to command a company, collect non-combat regiments, and also perform the functions of adjutant, quartermaster and treasurer. However, the serviceman again perfectly coped with his duties, for which in 1833 he received the rank of colonel.
Later, until his death, Nikolai Illarionovich was the commander of the guards, artillery and grenadier brigades. He was distinguished by an extraordinary educational talent. That is why many famous military leaders asked him to act as a teacher of their young children. So, it is known that for a long time Nikolay Filosofov was a teacher of Prince Nikolai Maximilianovich the Duke of Leuchtenberg.
In 1849, Filosofov became the director of the Page Corps - one of the most sought-after educational institutions of that time. In 1852 he was promoted to lieutenant general. Nikolai Illarionovich made a great contribution to the development of military affairs in Russia. His biography, strategies and tactics of command are still being studied at the country's leading military universities.
