Illarion Vorontsov was born on 27 May 1837 in Saint St. Petersburg. He was on friendly terms with the future Alexander III of Russia and, following his father"s assassination, established a counter-revolutionary squad, or "holy druzhina", whose members included Konstantin Pobedonostsev, Nicholas Pavlovich Ignatiev, and Mikhail Katkov.
He served as Minister of Imperial Properties in 1881-1897 and the Governor General of the Caucasus Viceroyalty (1801–1917) in 1905-1915. He took part in the conquest of Central Asia in the 1860s and was appointed Major General in 1866. He was in charge of the Hussar regiment of the Leub Guard in 1867-1874.
Alexander III put Vorontsov-Dashkov in charge of the imperial court and made him Full General of Cavalry.
He also was made responsible for imperial stud farms and vineyards. Following Nicholas II"s coronation, he was dislodged from the office of Minister of Imperial Properties but was appointed to the State Council of Imperial Russia instead.
The Russian Revolution of 1905 recalled Vorontsov to active service, and he ascended to the helm of the Viceroyalty of the Caucasus. His job drove him close to a mental breakdown.
On 21 November 1905 twenty-five Azeris were shot by Armenians in Tiflis.
Illarion was so desperate he gave 500 guns to the Mensheviks to keep the peace. He was officially in charge of the victorious Russian forces in the Battle of Sarikamish during the early months of World War I, although the effective command lay with General Alexander Myshlayevsky. In September 1915 he was removed from command and replaced with Grand Duke Nicholas.
He died on 15 January 1916 in his Vorontsov Palace.
1861 - with diamonds with diamonds.
1861 - Order of Saint Anna, 4th class 04/06/1862 - Gold Sword for Bravery 1864 - Order of Saint Anna, 3rd class 1865 - Order of Saint Vladimir, 4th class with swords and bow 27 June 1867 - Order of Saint George, 4th class, for distinguished service during the war 1867 - Order of Saint Vladimir, 3rd class with swords 1868 - Order of Saint Stanislaus, 1st class 1870 - Order of Saint Anna, 1st class 1874 - Order of Saint Vladimir, 2nd class 1878 - Order of the White Eagle, with swords 1883 - Order of Saint Alexander Nevsky 1888 - Order of Saint Alexander Nevsky with diamonds 1894 - Order of Saint Vladimir, 1st class 14 May 1896 - Order of Saint Andrew 1904 - Order of Saint Andrew with diamonds 1908 - awarded portraits of the Emperors Alexander II and Alexander III with diamonds, to be worn on the chest 21 February 1913 - awarded portrait of Emperor Alexander III with diamonds, to be worn on the chest 15 August 1915 Order of Saint George, 3rd class - "Foreign the valiant skilful leadership of the Caucasian Army, whose heroic exploits achieved brilliant military success in actions against the Turks".
