Rostopchin
FEODOR VAS- SILIEVICH, COUNT, a Russian general; born in the province of Orel, Russia, March 23, 1763. Entering the Russian military service as a lieutenant in the Imperial Guard, he won great influence over the weak mind of the Emperor Paul, who promoted him to various offices in rapid succession. In May, 1812, the Emperor Alexander appointed him governor of Moscow. He it was, according to the French writers, who planned and began with his own hand the burning of Moscow. But in 1823 he published "The Truth About the Burning of Moscow" (Paris, 1823), in which he rebuts the charge. Nevertheless, he subsequently recalled this denial and admitted that he at least set fire to his own mansion house. His works, which include a number of historical memoirs, two comedies, etc., in Russian and French, were published at St. Peterspleadings, funeral harangues, etc., were delivered; so called from the rostra or beaks of ships with which it was ornamented. Also a pulpit, platform, or elevated place from which a speaker, as a preacher, an auctioneer, etc., addresses his audience.