Graf family papers, 1920s-2004

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Summary

Creators:
Graf family, Graf, G. K. (Garalʹd Karlovich), 1885-1966, Graf, Vladimir, and Apri︠e︡lev, B.
Abstract:
Garal'd Karlovich Graf was a Russian naval officer. In 1921 he became the head of the Chancery of Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich and was arrested by the Germans in 1941, before settling in Pennsylvania in 1950. The Graf family papers (1920s-2004) contain Graf's typescript memoirs, writings, correspondence, and photographs. There is also correspondence and various papers of Graf's son, Vladimir, and a typescript of Captain Boris Aprelev's diary of service at the General headquarters in 1915.
Extent:
12 manuscript boxes, 1 video recording, digital media (4.8 Linear Feet)
Language:
In English, French, and Russian
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Graf family papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

The Graf family papers (1920s-2004) contain Graf's typescript memoirs and writings. These include drafts of "Na Baltiiskom flotie" (memoirs of service in the Baltic fleet from 1906 to 1914) in 2 volumes; and "Bor'ba za vosstanovlenie svergnutogo prestola" (memoirs as chief of staff to Grand Duke Vladimir Kirillovich, claimant to the Russian throne, in Germany and France, 1920s-1940s) in 2 volumes in various drafts and copies, including drafts of a translation into English. There is a handwritten diary from 1938 and correspondence with fellow naval officers and monarchists (Gen. Aleksei Olekhnovich, A.P. Volkoff and others). The papers also contain correspondence and various papers of Graf's son, Vladimir, which relate top family matters and publications of his father's writings. In addition, the papers include a typescript of Captain Boris Aprelev's diary of service at the General headquarters in 1915 ("Dnevnik. Stavka Verkhovnogo glavnokomanduiushchego, 1915"). There are also photographic prints and negatives that depict episodes of Graf's life, émigré monarchist meetings and events, and the life of grand dukes Kirill Vladimirovich and Vladimir Kirillovich.

Biographical / historical:

Garal'd Karlovich Graf was a Russian naval officer. He achieved the rank of captain. Born in Vyborg in 1885, he graduated from the Naval Cadet School and served in the Russo-Japanese War, participating in the Battle of Tsushima. Thereafter, he served on various ships in the Baltic fleet, including the most advanced Russian destroyer, the Novik. He published "Na Novikie " (On the Novik ), in Germany in 1922. The book was translated into five languages. In 1913 he graduated from the Naval Academy. After the revolution he lived for a time in Finland. In 1921 he moved to Germany where he joined the monarchist movement. Ultimately, he became the head of the Chancery of Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich (and later his son, Vladimir Kirillovich), effectively acting as chief of staff to the claimant to the Russian throne. In 1929 he moved to Saint-Briac-sur-Mer, France, where the Grand Duke established his court. In 1941, in France, he was arrested by the Germans and spent 14 months in a concentration camp. In 1950 he resettled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he taught Russian and penned his memoirs of life as an émigré. These memoirs, originally titled by the author "Bor'ba za vosstanovlenie svergnutogo prestola" (The struggle to re-establish the lost throne), filled two bound volumes in final typewritten form. The memoirs were published as "Na sluzhbe Imperatorskomu domu Rossii," 1917–1941, in St. Petersburg in 2004. He died in Pittsburgh in 1966.

Acquisition information:
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 2020.
Physical location:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Box 1 and Box 4 may not be used without permission of the Archivist. The remainder of the collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.

Terms of access:

For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Graf family papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Location of this collection:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives, Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003, US
Contact:
(650) 723-3563
hooverarchives@stanford.edu
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