Career
Kornilov was born on his family estate in Staritsky District, Tver Governorate in 1806. His father was governor of Irkutsk. Kornilov entered the naval service in 1823, and in 1827 he fought in the Battle of Navarino as a midshipman aboard the fleet"s flagship Azov.
During the Crimean War, Kornilov was responsible for the defence of Sevastopol.
He was killed early in the siege and was buried in the Admirals" Burial Vault.