lecturer International company director
Golitsyn, Georgii was born on May 3, 1916 in Tiflis into one of Russia’s oldest and most distinguished families. Son of Prince Vladimir Emmanuilovich Golitsyn, officer in the Chevalier Guards, Aide-de-camp to the Grand Duke Nicholas (Nikolaevich), and his wife Catherine Carlow, daughter of Duke Georg Aleksander of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.
Educated at Lancing College and St. Paul’s School, and the Sorbonne.
Left Georgia with his parents in the general exodus of the Russian aristocracy after the October Revolution 1917. Grew up in England. Won a scholarship to Oxford, where he obtained an MA Honours, degree in history in 1936. Holder of a medal from the Royal Humane Society (for life-saving), 1939.
During World War II, served in the Welsh Guards (Major, General Staff). In the post-war years, had made a study of Russian art and history, and since 1961, has travelled frequently to the Soviet Union — at first on business, later as guest lecturer on cultural tours. Speaks with unique authority from his personal background experience on a variety of aspects of Russian life, art, architecture and history.
Has given illustrated talks on the palaces of St. Petersburg, Faberge, and travels in the Soviet Union (Moscow, Samarkand, Burkhara and the Caucasus). Multilingual. Has lived in Pakistan, India, Paris, and Milan. Occupied managerial positions in the Plessey Group, Rank Xerox, Sperry, and the British Steel Corporation.
A leading member of the Russian community in London. Together with his wife, Jean Mary Dawney, divides his time between Belgravia and his country house in Hampshire.
