Georgii Aleksandrovich Tal' Memoirs, 1954-1964
Collection context
- Creator:
- Talʹ, Georgīĭ Aleksandrovich, 1884-1964
- Extent:
- 88 items 2 boxes
- Language:
- Russian .
- Scope and content:
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Tal'́s handwritten memoirs, recorded in 88 notebooks, recount his life experiences and explore in detail the following subjects: the life of the Imperial family and the role of Rasputin; high society and cultural life in St. Petersburg at the turn of the century; social life and customs in the Russian provinces during the 19th century; the Aleksandrovskiĭ Lycʹee; military education and the Hussar Regiment; the February and October Revolutions; and the Russian emigration, first in Yugoslavia and, after World War II, in France. The narrative, although predominantly second-hand, is frequently interspersed with personal reminiscences and the recollections of family members, friends and colleagues. Georgiĭ Tal ́stresses the eyewitness aspect of these accounts, stating that he recorded much of the information the time it occurred. However, his repeated use of verbatim dialogue gives the memoirs a tone of historical fiction.
- Biographical / historical:
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Tal ́(von Thal) was a member of the Russian aristocracy and a career military officer. Georgii A. Tal was born in St. Petersburg in 1884. He was the son of Aleksandr Iakovlevich Tal, a high ranking military officer and Sofiia Nikolaevna, nee Sinel'nikova, the daughter of a wealthy landowner.During his childhood, Georgii Tal spent much time on the family estate in Chernigov province. At the age of thirteen he enrolled in the Aleksandrovskii Lycee and in 1905, after completing his schooling, he joined the Hussar Regiment (Leib Gvardii Gusarskii Polk), where he remained for ten years, fighting in its ranks during World War I. Sometime in 1915 he was called to serve as personal aide to the commander in charge of the imperial guards, General Voeikov. In that position he witnessed first-hand the events of 1917-1918. After the fall of the tsar, he was employed in the military supply headquarters, and, following the defeat of the White forces, he emigrated to Yugoslavia. There he entered the Yugoslav army and fought with it in World War II. In 1943, Georgii Tal1 was sent by the Germans on a mission to Odessa, Nikolaev and Kherson. After the war he emigrated first to Austria and then, in 1947, to France.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
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This collection is located on-site.
- Location of this collection:
- Before you visit:
- Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.
- Contact:
- rbml@library.columbia.edu