All persons and events mentioned in the diary of Sophie von Knorring, 1841–1842.

Relatives

• Jakob von Knorring (1789- 1862, Paslepa) — Sophie’s father, a participant in the Napoleonic Wars, who entered civil service in the Governorate of Estonia in 1821 with the rank of Actual State Councillor. He belonged to the ancient noble family of Baltic Germans, the Knorrings, known since the 16th century. In the diary, he often appears as a strict and unyielding head of the family, whose opinion is decisive, especially in matters of his daughter’s marriage. (Mentioned in the diary: January 5, January 16, January 22, January 23, May 4, May 8, May 10, May 11, May 17, May 29, August 2, August 3, August 4, August 5, August 6, August 7, August 11, August 14, August 16, August 17, August 21, August 23, August 24, August 27, August 28, August 29, August 30, August 31, September 14, November 4, January 29, January 31, February 1, February 6, February 7, February 21).
• Sophie von Knorring, née Severin (1800 St. Petersburg – 1876 Paslepa) — Sophie’s mother, daughter of Heinrich Severin, a St. Petersburg entrepreneur, banker, and director of the Russian-American Company. Her mother, Luise, née Bacheracht, was a representative of another influential dynasty of St. Petersburg merchants. In the diary, she acts as Sophie’s main support, wise advisor, and confidante in her affairs of the heart and society. (Mentioned in the diary: January, May 1, May 2, May 3, May 4, May 5, May 8, May 9, May 10, May 11, May 13, May 14, May 15, May 16, May 17, May 19, May 20, May 21, May 22, May 23, May 24, May 25, May 26, May 27, May 28, May 29, May 30, May 31, June 1, June 4, August 2, August 3, August 4, August 5, August 6, August 7, August 13, August 14, August 16, August 17, August 21, August 25, August 26, August 27, August 28, August 29, August 30, August 31, September 1, September 2, September 5, September 6, September 17, September 18, September 19, September 20, September 21, September 23, September 24, September 25, September 26, September 28, September 29, September 30, October 31, November 16, November 19, November 21, November 26, November 27, November 28, November 29, November 30, December 1, December 2, December 3, December 4, December 5, December 8, December 12, December 14, December 16, December 17, December 18, December 20, December 23, December 24, December 25).
• Helene (Hélène) and Luise von Knorring — Sophie’s sisters (1822–1900 and 1825–1906), who are her constant companions in daily life, travels, and social entertainments. In 1841, they were 18 and 15 years old, respectively. The girls spent their time together doing needlework, reading, playing music, and sharing news. (Mentioned in the diary: January, May 3, May 4, May 11, May 15, May 23, May 29, May 30, June 2, August 7, August 8, September 9, September 12, September 13, September 15, September 16, September 19, September 21, September 24, September 28, October 30, October 31, November 6, November 8, November 10, November 11, November 13, November 15, November 19, November 20, November 21, November 22, November 24, November 25, November 27, November 29, November 30, December 2, December 3, December 4, December 5, December 7, December 9, December 11, December 12, December 13, December 14, December 15, December 16, December 17, December 18, December 19, December 20, December 21, December 22, December 24, December 25, December 26, December 28, December 29, December 31, February 2, February 3, February 4, February 5, February 8, February 9, February 11, February 12, February 15, February 16, February 17, February 18, February 21, February 22).
• Katharine (Kitty) von Knorring (1837 Reval – 1840 Paslepa) — Sophie’s younger sister, who died in December 1840 at the age of three. The grief over her loss is one of the main reasons for Sophie’s melancholy at the beginning of the diary. Her birthday, November 26, is marked as a particularly difficult day, filled with prayers and memories. (Mentioned in the diary: January, November 16, November 26).
• Vladimir (Pontus) Karlovich von Knorring (1784 – 1864) — Sophie’s uncle, her father’s brother, a General of the Cavalry and Adjutant General. From 1835-1847, he commanded the Guards Reserve Cavalry Corps. He is known for having petitioned the emperor to pardon M.Y. Lermontov after his first duel. (Mentioned in the diary: January 14, September 10, September 12, September 24, September 29, October 1, November 5, November 7, November 13, November 15, November 17, November 19, November 20, November 21, January 27, February 1, February 2, February 5, February 6, February 17).
• Andrei (Heinrich) Petrovich Severin — Sophie’s maternal grandfather, one of the most prominent St. Petersburg merchants of his time. He was a banker, entrepreneur, and director of the powerful Russian-American Company. Sophie stays at his house in St. Petersburg after her arrival. (Mentioned in the diary: September 22, October 3, November 6, November 8, November 14, January 21, February 5, February 12, February 15, February 19).
• Luise Severin, née Bacheracht — Sophie’s maternal grandmother, a representative of an influential dynasty of St. Petersburg merchants and bankers of Dutch origin. She takes a keen interest in her granddaughter’s fate, especially in her affairs of the heart concerning Kursell. (Mentioned in the diary: May 1, August 12, August 18, November 21, November 23, November 24, November 25, November 27, November 28, November 29, November 30, October 31, November 1, November 2, November 3, November 4, November 6, November 8, November 11, November 12, November 13, November 15, November 16, November 18, November 22, November 23, November 25, November 27, December 31, January 1, January 4, January 8, January 12, January 15, January 18, February 21, February 22).
• Helene von Knorring, née von Lantingshausen (1761 Reval – 1843 Kedik) — Sophie’s paternal grandmother. Sophie visits her at the Kedik estate. The grandmother expresses open displeasure with the breaking of her granddaughter’s engagement, believing that she would not find a better match. (Mentioned in the diary: May 4, August 12, August 18, September 12).
• Pyotr Andreevich Severin (d. 1842) — Sophie’s uncle, her mother’s brother. In 1841-1842, he was undergoing treatment in Hamburg, where he died. Judging by the entries, in her youth, Sophie had a special, perhaps childish, crush on him and was very worried by the news of his illness. (Mentioned in the diary: May 15, May 22, August 5, August 13, November 16, January 18).
• Wilhelmina (Minna) Severin — Sophie’s aunt, her mother’s unmarried sister. She is Sophie’s constant companion in St. Petersburg, accompanying her on visits, shopping trips, and walks. (Mentioned in the diary: May 15, September 11, September 22, October 2, October 3, November 4, November 5, November 6, November 7, November 8, November 9, November 16, November 22, November 23, November 24, November 27, January 12, January 15, February 21).
• Luise von Knorring, née Severin — Sophie’s aunt, her mother’s sister, and the wife of Uncle Pontus Knorring. Sophie lives in her house in St. Petersburg. Aunt Luise actively participates in her niece’s life, arranging her leisure, taking her to balls, and even writing an angry letter to Maestro Tamburini when he misses lessons. (Mentioned in the diary: May 4, October 20, October 21, October 22, October 24, October 25, October 27, October 28, October 29, October 31, November 2, November 5, November 7, November 10, November 11, November 12, November 13, November 14, November 15, November 18, November 19, November 20, November 21, November 22, November 23, November 24, November 27, November 28, November 29, November 30, December 1, December 3, December 4, December 8, December 11, December 12, December 13, December 14, December 15, December 16, December 17, December 18, December 19, December 20, December 21, December 22, December 23, December 24, December 25, December 28, December 29, December 30, December 31, February 2, February 3, February 4, February 5, February 6, February 7, February 8, February 9, February 10, February 11, February 12, February 13, February 15, February 16, February 17, February 18, February 22, February 25).
• Konstantin and Karl (Charles) von Knorring — Sophie’s cousins, sons of Aunt Luise. Konstantin (1820-1903) would later become an officer, and Karl (1823-1871) a diplomat. In the diary, they appear as cheerful young men who fool around, sing arias, and pull pranks, such as stealing Sophie’s morning gown. (Mentioned in the diary: September 22, September 24, October 1, October 27, November 11, November 19, November 21, December 7, December 11, January 15, February 3, February 4, February 6, February 8, February 9, February 15, February 16, February 19, February 20, February 21, February 25).
• Ivan Andreevich Severin — Sophie’s uncle, her mother’s brother. His movements around St. Petersburg were hindered by the bridges over the Neva being drawn for the winter. (Mentioned in the diary: September 22, September 23, September 29, October 30, November 1, November 3, November 6, November 7, November 8, December 26, January 1, January 12, January 15, January 27).
• Henriette (Jette) Ovander, née Severin — Sophie’s aunt, her mother’s sister and the wife of Johann Ovander. (Mentioned in the diary: September 22, September 23, September 24, September 25, September 27, September 28, October 29, October 30, October 31, January 18, February 21).
• Emilia Bacheracht — the wife of Georg Bacheracht, Sophie’s mother’s cousin. (Mentioned in the diary: November 7, September 10, December 26).
• Elisaveta (Lisette) Meybaum, née Bacheracht — Sophie’s great-aunt, her grandmother Luise’s sister. She was married to Jakob Meybom, one of the pillars of the St. Petersburg merchant class. (Mentioned in the diary: November 17, October 27, February 8, February 15).
• Gustav von Knorring — Sophie’s uncle, her father’s brother, owner of the Vihterpalu manor. (Mentioned in the diary: August 18).
• Elisaveta (Lisette) von Knorring, née von Ramm — wife of Uncle Gustav, mistress of the Vihterpalu manor. (Mentioned in the diary: August 18).

Household Staff

• Amalie Christine Charlotte Wiedemann (Fräulein M. W.) (1800-?) — governess to the Knorring sisters, whom Sophie often refers to as “Fräulein W.” or “Mademoiselle W.” She was likely the sister of the famous linguist and academician of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences, Ferdinand Wiedemann. Sophie shares her experiences and secrets with her, discusses matters of the heart, and engages in long nocturnal conversations about marriage. (Mentioned in the diary: May 3, May 6, May 7, May 8, May 11, May 12, May 15, May 17, May 21, May 22, May 24, May 25, May 27, May 28, May 29, May 30, June 3, June 4, August 6, August 7, August 11, August 13, August 14, August 16, August 17, August 18, August 19, August 20, August 21, August 22, August 23).
• Anna (Nette) Rüdinger (1822-?) — a governess in Uncle Pontus’s family, an orphan living with wealthy relatives as a companion. She was the granddaughter of the Vyborg governor, Karl Rüdinger. A drama unfolded in her family, threatening a scandalous divorce, which greatly saddened the young woman. (Mentioned in the diary: October 2, November 18, November 21, February 6, February 7, February 9, February 17, January 22).
• Katrin — a cook (Köchin) in Uncle Pontus’s house in St. Petersburg. Her wedding took place on January 25, 1842, and even the masters, including Sophie and her grandmother, attended and danced, which was an unusual display of closeness between the social classes. (Mentioned in the diary: January 25).

Cultural Stars of the Era

• Antonio Tamburini (1800-1876) — a legendary Italian operatic baritone from whom Sophie took private vocal lessons in St. Petersburg. Their lessons, for which Sophie paid an enormous sum (100 rubles), often turned into friendly conversations about the maestro’s travels and youthful pranks. The lessons were constantly disrupted, sometimes due to Sophie’s cold, other times due to tragic events in Tamburini’s own life, as he lost his young son in St. Petersburg. (Mentioned in the diary: September, September 25, September 30, October 4, October 25, November 1, November 3, November 4, November 6, November 10, November 11, November 13, November 15, November 18, November 20, November 22, November 25, November 27, December 29, December 1, December 3, December 4, December 5, December 7, December 8, December 10, December 12, December 13, December 15, December 16, December 18, December 20, December 22, December 23, December 25, December 29, January 5, January 6, January 7, January 8, January 10, January 11, January 12, January 13, January 14, January 15, January 16, January 18, January 19, January 20, January 22, February 23, February 26, February 27, February 29, February 2).
• Marie Taglioni (1804-1884) — the great Italian ballerina, a central figure of Romantic ballet, who performed in St. Petersburg from 1837 to 1842. Sophie was enthralled by her dancing in the ballets “La Gitana” and “La Sylphide,” particularly noting her dance with castanets. She also discusses in her diary the main high-society gossip — the ballerina’s scandalous affair with Prince Alexander Trubetskoy. (Mentioned in the diary: December 29, February 18).
• Ilya Osipovich Sokolov (1777—1848) — the legendary leader of the Moscow gypsy choir, to whom A.S. Pushkin dedicated a famous quatrain. Sophie attended his concert at Engelhardt Hall on February 3 and was struck by his dancing, which he performed with “incredible vivacity and flexibility” (Mentioned in the diary: February 3).
• Louise Rosalie Allan-Despréaux — a French actress, the superstar of the Mikhailovsky Theatre in St. Petersburg in the 1830s–1840s. Sophie saw her perform in French vaudevilles and was delighted by her talent. (Mentioned in the diary: October 24, November 13).
• Yelena Ivanovna Andreyanova (1819-1857) — a legendary Russian prima ballerina, the first to perform the role of Giselle in Russia. Sophie saw her pas de deux in a divertissement of the opera “La Juive” and noted her grace and confidence. (Mentioned in the diary: December 8).
• Osip Afanasyevich Petrov (1806-1878) — a famous Russian opera singer (bass). Sophie heard him in the opera “L’elisir d’amore” and was thrilled, comparing his brilliant performance as Dulcamara to that of the greatest Italian bass, Luigi Lablache. (Mentioned in the diary: January 28).
• Alexander Petrovich Opochinin (1809-1887) — a legendary amateur singer (bass/baritone) and a star of the St. Petersburg salons. Sophie sang duets with him from the operas “Don Giovanni” and “The Barber of Seville” to Tamburini’s accompaniment in her aunt’s drawing-room. (Mentioned in the diary: January 19, January 22, February 5).
• Matvey Ivanovich Bernard (1794–1871) — a famous St. Petersburg music publisher and owner of the largest sheet music store on Nevsky Prospekt. Sophie fondly calls him “my friend Bernard” and buys sheet music from him for her studies. (Mentioned in the diary: November 5).
• Friedrich Wilhelm Krummacher — a Reformed preacher who was very popular in the 19th century. His published sermons, distinguished by their deep emotionality, were often read in devout Protestant families, including the Knorring family. (Mentioned in the diary: May 9, August 28).
• Edward Bulwer-Lytton — a famous English writer, whose sentimental and philosophical novel “Ernest Maltravers” was incredibly popular in Russia in the 1840s. Sophie and her friends enthusiastically read this novel aloud on the steps of the manor house. (Mentioned in the diary: August 23, August 24, August 27, September 7, September 9).
• Joseph Lanner — an Austrian composer, one of the founders of the Viennese waltz. Sophie played his highly popular at the time “Comet Waltz” (Komet-Walzer, Op. 87), written for the occasion of Halley’s Comet’s appearance, as a four-hand piece. (Mentioned in the diary: June 4).
• Heinrich August Behling (1793-1854) — a St. Petersburg pianist, organist, and choral conductor, founder of the Singakademie choral society. He taught music to the daughters of Nicholas I and was the organist at the Petrikirche. (Mentioned in the diary: December 2, December 12, February 13).

Events

• Wedding of the Heir to the Throne — This refers to the wedding of Tsesarevich Alexander Nikolaevich (the future Emperor Alexander II) and Princess Marie of Hesse (Maria Alexandrovna in Orthodoxy). The celebrations took place in April 1841, and Sophie read about them in her aunt’s letters. (Mentioned in the diary: May 4).
• Ball of the Nobility — A grand ball in the Assembly of the Nobility building in St. Petersburg, which took place on December 16 and was attended by the imperial family. Sophie describes in detail the lavish interiors, the order of the dances (polonaise, French quadrille), and the brilliant attire of the high-society ladies. (Mentioned in the diary: December 13, December 16).
• Ball at the Vorontsovs’ — A lavish ball at the home of Count Ivan Vorontsov-Dashkov, the court’s Master of Ceremonies, which was second only to court balls in its luxury. Sophie’s cousin, Luise, attended this ball. (Mentioned in the diary: December 4, January 15, January 29).
• Masquerade at Elena Pavlovna’s — A costume ball at the Mikhailovsky Palace, hosted by Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna, a well-known center of the capital’s social and intellectual life. (Mentioned in the diary: February 17, February 2).
• Concert of Ilya Sokolov’s Gypsy Choir — On February 3, Sophie attended a performance by the famous Moscow gypsy choir at Engelhardt Hall. She was thrilled by the wild yet beautiful singing, as well as the dancing of the troupe’s elderly leader, Ilya Sokolov. (Mentioned in the diary: February 3).
• Opera “La Juive” — On December 8, Sophie attended a production of Fromental Halévy’s famous “grand opera” at the Bolshoi Kamenny Theatre. She criticized the German tenors for their “terrible screaming” but highly praised the Russian bass Osip Petrov and the ballerina Yelena Andreyanova. (Mentioned in the diary: December 8).
• Ballet “La Gitana” — On December 29, Sophie watched a ballet at the Bolshoi Theatre featuring the legendary Marie Taglioni. She was captivated by the ballerina’s grace, especially her dance with castanets, and vividly discussed Taglioni’s scandalous affair with Prince Trubetskoy. (Mentioned in the diary: December 29, February 18).
• Taglioni’s Farewell Performance in “La Sylphide” — On February 18, 1842, Sophie witnessed a historic event — the last performance of the ballet “La Sylphide” with Marie Taglioni on the St. Petersburg stage. She called the ballerina the “perfect Sylphide” and an “enchanting grace.” (Mentioned in the diary: February 18).
• Fire on Vasilyevsky Island — On the night of October 22, 1841, Sophie observed a large fire on the 14th Line of Vasilyevsky Island. This event was documented in the police chronicle of the “Russky Invalid” newspaper, confirming the accuracy of the diary entries. (Mentioned in the diary: October 22).
• New Year’s Christmastide Divinations — On New Year’s Eve of 1842, Sophie, her cousins, and friends engage in traditional Russian fortune-telling. They send a servant into the street to learn the name of a future husband and tell fortunes with a live rooster, which predicts a swift marriage for Sophie. (Mentioned in the diary: December 31).

Buildings and Places

• Paslepa (Paslepa) Manor — the Knorring family’s ancestral estate in the Governorate of Estonia, where the diary begins and where Sophie spent most of her life before her trip to St. Petersburg. The manor house, in a rebuilt form, has been preserved and is currently used as a hotel. (Mentioned in the diary: January, May 9, September 14, November 20, November 22, November 24, November 26, January 10, January 17, January 24).
• Haapsalu (Hapsal) — a popular resort town in Estonia in the 19th century, where the Knorring family and their many acquaintances from noble families spent the summer. The town was the center of social life in the Governorate of Estonia. (Mentioned in the diary: January, May 4, May 8, May 10, May 11, May 12, May 15, May 16, May 17, May 18, May 21, May 26, May 28, May 29, August 2, August 5, August 6, August 7, August 8, August 11, August 14, September 16).
• Lyckholm (Saare) Manor — an estate near Haapsalu, which at the time belonged to the von Rosen dynasty. In January 1841, the engagement of Natalie von Rosen took place there, to which the Knorring family was invited. (Mentioned in the diary: January, June 2, August 17).
• Kedik Manor — the estate of Sophie’s uncle, Pontus von Knorring, located near Haapsalu. Sophie’s paternal grandmother lived on this estate, and the family visited her often. (Mentioned in the diary: January, May 4, May 5, August 12, August 18, September 10, September 11, September 12, September 17).
• Neuenhof (Uuemõisa) Manor — an estate at the entrance to Haapsalu, belonging to the von Gernet dynasty. It was here, on May 11, 1841, that Sophie had an awkward encounter with her rejected suitor, Otto von Kursell, who pointedly ignored her. (Mentioned in the diary: January, May 10, May 11, May 23, May 24).
• The Parsonage in Hosby — the manor of Pastor Karlblom, where Sophie and her family were frequent guests. The parsonage was located halfway between the Paslepa and Kedik estates, and visits there were an important part of their social life. (Mentioned in the diary: May 4, May 8, May 19, May 20, August 23, August 28, May 29, May 30, August 5, August 7).
• Hotel de Petersburg (Tallinn) — the oldest and most prestigious hotel in Reval (Tallinn), located at Rataskaevu 7. The Knorring family’s choice of this hotel on their way to St. Petersburg underscores their high social status. (Mentioned in the diary: September 19).
• Petrikirche (St. Peter’s Church) — the main Lutheran church of St. Petersburg on Nevsky Prospekt, the spiritual and social center of the German community. Sophie repeatedly attended sermons there by the popular pastors Frommann and Nielsen. (Mentioned in the diary: October 4, November 4).
• Annenkirche (St. Anne’s Church) — a Lutheran church on Kirochnaya Street in St. Petersburg. On February 15, Sophie attended a sermon there by Pastor Böse but was not entirely satisfied, finding it not deep enough. (Mentioned in the diary: February 15).
• The Winter Palace — the main imperial residence in St. Petersburg. Sophie describes her visit to the palace on December 6 and 7 to observe court ceremonies and balls, dwelling in detail on the luxurious interiors and the attire of the imperial family. (Mentioned in the diary: November 21, December 6, December 7, December 25, February 2).
• Smolny Convent — the architectural ensemble that housed the Smolny Institute for Noble Maidens. On October 19, Sophie visited the convent’s church and was deeply moved by the magnificent singing of the pupils’ choir. (Mentioned in the diary: October 19).
• St. Isaac’s Cathedral — in 1841, the cathedral was under active and grandiose construction. On the evening of October 19, the carriage in which Sophie was riding had an accident near the cathedral’s enormous construction site. (Mentioned in the diary: October 19).
• The French (Mikhailovsky) Theatre — a theatre in St. Petersburg where a fashionable French troupe performed. Sophie and her family attended vaudevilles there, admiring the performance of the famous actress Louise Allan-Despréaux. (Mentioned in the diary: October 24, November 11, November 13, January 9, January 22).
• The Bolshoi (Kamenny) Theatre — the main imperial theatre before the construction of the Mariinsky, where opera and ballet productions were staged. Sophie saw the opera “La Juive” there and was thrilled with the ballets “La Gitana” and “La Sylphide” featuring Marie Taglioni. (Mentioned in the diary: October 4, December 8, December 29, February 18).
• Engelhardt Hall — a famous concert hall in the building at 30 Nevsky Prospekt. On February 3, 1842, Sophie listened to a performance by the legendary gypsy choir of Ilya Sokolov there. (Mentioned in the diary: February 3).
• The Assembly of the Nobility — a building on Mikhailovskaya Street (now the St. Petersburg Philharmonia), which hosted the most brilliant balls of the St. Petersburg nobility. Sophie attended a ball there on December 16, 1841. (Mentioned in the diary: December 13, December 16).
• The Hermitage — On February 14, Sophie tried to visit the museum but could not see all the halls, as part of the building had been dismantled for the construction of the New Hermitage, designed by Leo von Klenze. (Mentioned in the diary: February 14).
• The Peter and Paul Fortress — the historical citadel of St. Petersburg. Sophie visited it on February 14, crossing the Neva on foot over the ice. In the cathedral, she viewed with interest the tombs of the emperors and military trophies, including the keys to Warsaw on the tomb of Constantine Pavlovich. (Mentioned in the diary: February 14).
• Postal stations (Haggers, Hohenkreuz, Waiwara, Chirkovitsy, Kipen, Strelna) — stations on the tract between Reval and St. Petersburg where Sophie stopped during her journey in September 1841. Her diary contains critical notes on the level of comfort and cleanliness at these stations. (Mentioned in the diary: September 18, September 20, September 21, September 22).