Aleksandra Andreevna Voeikova

Alexandra Andreevna Voeikova (née Protasova; August 20, 1795 - February 16, 1829) was the niece and goddaughter of Vasily Zhukovsky, addressee of his ballad "Svetlana", and muse of the poet Nikolay Yazykov.

Early life Alexandra Andreevna Protasova was born into the family of the landowner Andrei Ivanovich Protasov and his wife Ekaterina Afanasyevna, née Bunina. Her father rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel; after his resignation he became the provincial leader of the Tula Oblast, while her mother devoted herself to raising her daughters. The family lived modestly, and after the death of their father in 1805. When his wife had to pay off creditors, she found herself in a dire situation altogether. The Protasovs settled in Belyov, where they lived until the summer of 1810. They lived with their mother's half-brother, Vasily Zhukovsky. Vasily read, wrote poetry and translated a lot, and gave language lessons to the young Alexandra and her older sister Maria (1793-1823). Zhukovsky's curriculum included a variety of subjects, including philosophy, morality, history, geography, aesthetics, and literature. Under the leadership of Zhukovsky, Derzhavin's poems, works by Schiller, Goethe, Shakespeare, Racine, Corneille, Voltaire, and Rousseau were analyzed, as well as works of ancient literature - satire by Juvenal and the odes of Horace. They read the works of Bürger in the original. In 1810, after the construction of a house in Muratov (Oryol Governorate) was completed, the Protasovs moved there; Zhukovsky settled in the neighboring village of Kholkh.

Marriage and children In November 1813, at the invitation of Zhukovsky, his friend Alexander Voeykov (1779-1839) arrived in Muratovo. Despite his outward unattractiveness, Voeikov made an impression on Ekaterina Afanasyevna and especially on Alexandra Andreevna. A participant in the Patriotic War, he told fascinating stories and had a mocking mindset. Seeing the lovely 18-year-old Alexandra whom Vigel compared with Sylphide and Undine, the writer (he was already thirty-five by this time), wooed her. Zhukovsky also supported this marriage. Long in love with Maria Protasova, the poet hoped for Voeikov's help in receiving blessings from the girls' mother. Alexandra's older sister also persuaded her to marry Voeikov.

The wedding took place on July 14, 1814, in the Podzavalovskaya church. To provide his niece with a dowry, Zhukovsky sold his village. On the occasion of the wedding, Zhukovsky gave her the ballad "Svetlana". He also sought a professorial position for Voeikov at the University of Tartu. The newlyweds left with Ekaterina Afanasyevna and Maria for Tartu.

Alexandra's married life turned out to be very unhappy. Soon after the wedding, Voeikov made life unbearable not only for his wife, but also for his mother-in-law and sister-in-law. Ekaterina Afanasyevna wrote to her relative Avdotya Kireevskaya in 1816: "He owed his entire existence to his incomparable wife, beautiful, intelligent, educated and kind Alexandra Andreevna, who was his martyr, who became a victim of this vile monster."Zhukovsky's hopes for Voeikov's intercession did not come true either. Trying to earn the favor of Ekaterina Afanasyevna, he completely went over to her side. In addition, Maria was subjected to ridicule and bullying in his house. In her diary, she wrote in November 1815: On the recommendation of Zhukovsky, Grech agreed to co-edit Voeikov in the journal "Son of the Fatherland", entrusting him with the department of criticism and review of magazines. Voeikov also got a job as a teacher of Russian literature and class inspector at the St. Petersburg artillery school. Alexander Turgenev appointed him to the position of an official for special assignments in the Department of Spiritual Affairs. Voeikova collected an extensive library in various languages (she was fluent in French and German).

Death The funeral of A.A. Voeikova at the Greek cemetery in Livorno. Ink drawing by L. Maidel. 1830s

In the fall of 1827, at the expense of Zhukovsky, Voeikova left for treatment abroad. Sensing her imminent death, she wrote:There is currently no place where I would feel good other than my sister's grave! There is my future, which I am not afraid of.Only Lieutenant-General Vasily Perovsky accompanied her, unrequitedly in love with her for many years.

Alexandra Andreevna Voeikova died on February 16, 1829, from consumption in Pisa (according to other sources, in Nice). She was buried in the Greek Orthodox cemetery in Livorno. K. Seydlitz was responsible for the funeral. He ordered a cross with a crucifix and a slab of white marble with the same words from the Gospel of John (XIV, 1–4) “Let your heart not be confused; believe in God and believe in Me”, as was at the grave of her sister Maria in Dorpat. Zhukovsky frequented his niece's grave as he was in Italy often.