The Origins of Alexander I's Unofficial Committee

Abstract

THE genesis of the Unofficial Committee is to be found in Alexander's youthful thoughts of reform and in the close circle of friends with whom he shared his ideas and desires. As a young boy the future Emperor of Russia had been introduced to the principles of the Enlightenment by his grandmother and his tutors, especially the Swiss republican, Frederic C. Laharpe. The famous German philosopher, Baron Frederick Grimm, who frequently corresponded with Catherine II, recommended Laharpe as a traveling companion for the younger brother of one of the Empress' favorites. Laharpe, an earnest disciple of Gibbon, Locke and Rousseau, impressed Catherine and she invited him in 1782 to stay on in Russia and teach French to her grandson Alexander.' Two years after beginning his duties, Laharpe presented a memorandum to Catherine concerning Alexander's education and his general duties and obligations to the people. Laharpe proposed that the royal pupil be tutored in logic, moral philosophy, the history of ancient and modem philosophy, languages, and history: Russian, ancient, Germanic, European and Scandinavian. He stressed the need for Alexander to learn to seek justice and the common good. Catherine approved of his views and plan, and appointed him as the future Emperor's tutor, a