DEMIDOV  , the name of a famous

Russian family, founded by Nikita Demidov (b. c . 1665), who was originally a blacksmith serf . He made his fortune by his skill in the manufacture of weapons, and established an iron foundry for the government . Peter the Great, with whom he was a favourite, ennobled him in 1720 . His son, Akinfly Demidov (d. c . 1740), increased his inherited wealth by the discovery and working of gold, silver and copper mines . The latter's nephew, Paul Grigoryevich Demidov (1738-1821), was a great traveller who was a benefactor of Russian scientific education; he founded an annual prize for Russian literature, awarded by the Academy of Sciences . Paul's nephew, Nikolay Nikitich Demidov (1774-1828), raised and commanded a regiment to oppose Napoleon's invasion, and carried on the accumulation of the family wealth from mining; he contributed liberally to the erection of four bridges in St Petersburg, and to the propagation of scientific culture in Moscow . Paul's son, Anatoli Demidov (1812-187o), was a well-known traveller and patron of art; he married Princess Mathilde; daughter of Jerome Bonaparte .