I may have posted this elsewhere.
Dr Eugene Botkin's father was the noted physician Sergius, who is known as "The Father of Russian Medicine."
Sergius was the son of Peter Botkin a fabulously wealthy merchant who wanted to send Sergius into the Army (I think because he was not interested in the family business) but instead turned over his care to a half=brother Vassily, who was a famous "Liberal" in his younger days, friend of Herzen, patron of Gogol and others - and a "businessman."
Sergius became personal physician (and friend) to Alexander II and by succession to Alexander III, who would have no others after Sergius died.
Sergius had other son's who were physicians. Eugene's older brother Sergei was head of the Military Medical School (if I remember correctly). Sergei married the daughter of Paul Treytchakov(sp?) the noted art patron.
There are two famous portraits of Sergius and Sergei in that collection.
Richard Schweitzer
s24rrs@aol.com
