graf Ilia Lvovich Tolstoi

Born at Yasnaya Polyana in 1866, Count Ilya Lvovich Tolstoy was the third child and second son of Leo Tolstoy. He was educated at home and later at a private gymnasium, growing up in the unusual, intellectually lively world of the Tolstoy household.

As an adult, he served in the Sumy Dragoons, then worked in banking, insurance, journalism, and humanitarian aid. He helped during the Russian famine of 1891–92, worked for the Red Cross during World War I, and in 1915 founded the newspaper New Russia.

After leaving Russia in 1916, he lectured across the United States about his father’s life and work. He later settled for periods in both Europe and America, continuing to write and speak. Today he is especially remembered for Reminiscences of Tolstoy, a vivid firsthand portrait of his father and the world around him.