Grigori Rasputin rose from the lowest rung of society to become perhaps the most hated man in Russia.

It may not be known exactly when Grigori Rasputin was born in Pokrovskoe, Western Siberia as peasant culture does not keep records but in his death would not be forgotten. In December 1916 the Russian newspapers screamed “Grigori Rasputin has ceased to exist!”. The mad monk of Russia was dead and a nation rejoiced.

Rasputin at the height of his fame was thought to be no less than a demonic figure, possessed of supernatural powers, an agent of the forces of evil with an iron-clad and perhaps sexual hold on the throne of Imperial Russia.

Rasputin Must Die

The downfall of Grigori Rasputin began on 8th December 1916 when the Union Towns, an important municipal body, went into a secret session. They passed a resolution stating that, “ the government, now become an instrument of the dark forces (Rasputin), is driving Russia to her ruin and is shattering the imperial throne.”

Slowly it was becoming obvious that nothing would break the Tsar and Tsarina’s dependence on Rasputin unless he died. And so a plot was hatched.

Plans are Made

The three main players in the conspiracy to rid Russia of Rasputin were Purishkevich, Prince Feliks Yusupov and Duke Dmitri Pavlovich.

These three hatched a plan using one of St Petersburg’s most beautiful women, Princess Irina Yusupova, as a bait to lure Rasputin into their trap. Although Princess Irina was out of town Rasputin was told that she was returning for a secret assignation with him. Rasputin was overjoyed at the prospect of seducing the most beautiful woman in society.

An Assignation with Princess Irina Yusupova

That evening Rasputin dressed with care. He wore baggy velvet trousers, new boots and a magnificent silk shirt embroidered with corn flowers and girded with a crimson sash.

By 11 pm on the night of 16th December everything was ready. Cakes filled with chocolate and rose cream had been prepared and laced with potassium cyanide. The glasses which would hold Rasputin’s favorite drink, Madeira and Marsala, had also had poison added to them.

Prince Feliks Yusupov collected Rasputin and delivered him to the Yusupov Palace on the river Moika. Here Rasputin was told that Irina was entertaining guests and would be with him shortly.

Let the Killing Begin

Of course she never would arrive and Prince Yusupov began to serve Rasputin the poisoned drinks and cakes but to his horror Rasputin just kept eating and drinking eventually requesting that gypsy songs be played.

Prince Yusupov spoke with his accomplices and then returned with a revolver and shot Rasputin. Rasputin dropped to the floor but then struggled to his feet, lurched up to the main floor and fell out of a side door into a courtyard. The assassins fired two more shots and missed both times.

Having failed in their attempt to kill Rasputin the three conspirators tied his hands over his head and eventually dropped his body under the ice of the River Neva.

An autopsy carried out on the body revealed that neither the poison or bullet had killed Rasputin it was the river that held that privilege - his lungs were filled with water.

Sources: The Most Evil men and Woamen in History by Miranda Twiss pulished by Barnes and Nobles 2002

The Life and Times of Grigori Rasputin by Alex DeJonge published by The Dorset Press 1982