Portrait of the mysterious triumvir

Abstract

Count D.A. Tolstoy is traditionally perceived, along with M.N. Katkov and K.P. Pobedonostsev, as one of the "triumvirs" who directed the policy of "counter-reforms". But if the fates and views of the other triumvirs have already been described in quite a variety of ways, then Count Tolstoy was less fortunate. Therefore, the monograph by I.E. Barykina is in a certain sense not only new, but also unique. Of course, it is written in the traditions of the same liberal and Soviet historiography and partially retains their cliches and assessments, but still its restrained style is far from both excessive complimentarity and caricature.