1-157-394 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Grigori Rasputin, Russian peasant, holy-man and mystic. Rasputin (1869-1916) surrounded by some of the women drawn by his magnetic personality. Rasputin exercised considerable influence over Tsar Nicholas II and particularly the Tsarina, partly due to their belief in his ability to heal their son's haemophilia. He is shown seated between Colonel Loma (left) and Prince Putianin. Rasputin's influence over the Imperial family was widely unpopular, and he was murdered by Prince Felix Yusupov and Grand Duke Dmitri Romanov on the night of 29/30 December 1916.