Muravyov, Nikita

Muravyov, Nikita Mikhailovich (1795-1843)

Decembrist. He was in military service since 1813 and took part in the Russian Army's campaigns of 1813 and 1814. In 1816, he was one of the founders of the Union of Salvation secret society, and in 1818, the Union of Prosperity. After 1821, he was a leader of the Northern Society. He was the author of a project for reconstructing Russia ("Nikita Murav'ev's Constitution") that proposed the abolition of serfdom, a federal structure for Russia, and a constitutional government (headed by the Emperor). He did not take part in the uprising (because he was on leave). After the uprising's defeat, he was arrested and sentenced to death, but the sentence was commuted to 20 years of servitude. He died in deportation, in Siberia.