Pierre Gilliard

[Janet Whitcomb]

Good question.  His book is rational and matter-of-fact and, I think, a good resource.  So anything else he left behind would be of value--and, of course, since his wife was the beloved Tegleva, any of her papers, etc. included with his collection would also be of interest.

[Thierry]

Hi !

I have been lucky during my studies, because I have been able to work on Pierre Gilliard's photographs, which are in a University library. But I cannot remember if his papers were there, too, but I think they were.

The best and most moving souvenir of my studies.  

Have a nice week-end.

[Greg_King]

Some of Gilliard's papers are at the Gilliard archive at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland.  However, as he admitted in the Anna Anderson Hamburg trial, he burned quite a bit of his notes, diaries, papers, etc.  Somewhere I have a list of what's in Switzerland but if I recall it seemed to consist mainly of photo albums and a few other personal items donated by his brother Daniel after Gilliard died.

Greg King

[borgia]

Did Tegleva and Pierre have children?

[Joanna]

Hi Thierry !

That is an amazing experience! Can you describe the photo albums? Were they of the interior and exterior of the Alexander Palace, of Tsarskoye Selo town, of the Alexandria Villa Peterhof, of Livadia, of Spala? Were there photos of Pierre Gilliard's rooms in the AP, in Peterhof, etc.? Does the University of Lausanne allow photocopies of the photographs?

Many thanks
Joanna

[Janet Whitcomb]

Borgia, from what I've read, Pierre and Alexandra (a.k.a. Tegleva) were childless. What a shame, considering how child-oriented they were.

[Thierry]

Hi Joanna,

Unfortunately I worked only on photographs of the people, not of the buildings, by lack of time  

The photos I had in hand were not in albums, but in files, to assure a better conservation. I do not know if you can have a copy of some of them. Sorry.

By the way, I will try to find you out the link between the Vyrubovas and the Pistohlkors. If I forget, do not hesitate to scold me in an IM  

[Joanna]

Many many thanks Thierry !

When I can conquer my feeling of intimidation again, I will attempt to contact the University! Mon dieu I do not know when that will be !!!!

How long before I can scold !!!!!

Joanna

[chezarie borgia]

Janet.Thank you.I had the feeling that the Gilliards had no children.

[elisa_1872]

Through a very good friend, who actually studied at Lausanne University in the Mid Thirties, I received the memoirs of Pierre Gilliard (in French). Pierre Gilliard was her professor for quite a while and he dedicated this copy of his memoirs to her; she later dedicated them to me.

Mademoiselle M.M. de J. - I'm for ever in debt beyond measure.

Harald

Harald, what a wonderful little story. Perhaps you might scan the page? It would be lovely to see the great teacher's writing.

[Dawn]

I am very interested to know all I can about Alexandra Tegleva who married Pierre Gilliard.  Where can I find pictures of her.  Also, was she a nurse to Aleksey?  I would appreciate any information you can give me.

Thank you so much!
Dawn

[Jimi]

Does anybody know the specifics of Gilliard's role as palace tutor? Was he more closely involved with the children than the other tutors (Stanley Gibbs, Vladimir Voeikov, Peter Petrov)? Is it just because he was a writer and photographer that more seems to be known about him?

Also, if anyone can tell me why Gilliard was imprisoned with the Tsar and his family and the other tutors weren't, I'd be really grateful.

Cheers
Jimi

[Forum Admin]

Actually, Gibbs was imprisoned with the IF as well as Miss Schneider. The simple reason was that they volunteered to stay with the family under arrest. All the servants and staff were given a choice to leave freely or agree to stay with the IF and be under the same arrest.

[Jimi]

Thierry (or anyone else), do you know how long the photos have been available to the public? Were they a recent discovery or are they quite well known?

I'm doing some research for a documentary programme and trying to found out how much of this is new information.

Much appreciation
Jimi

[SanFranciscoCurt]

Gilliard's photo collection is currently being exhibited in the Elysee museum in Lausanne - http://www.elysee.ch/expos/expo22_en.html - unfortunately the article is only in French.

Does anybody know the specifics of Gilliard's role as palace tutor? Was he more closely involved with the children than the other tutors (Stanley Gibbs, Vladimir Voeikov, Peter Petrov)? Is it just because he was a writer and photographer that more seems to be known about him?

Hi Jimi,

I'm currently reading "Thirteen Years at the Russian Court" by Gilliard; it's in the Online APA History Books section of the Palace Main Menu.  What a cool read this is...he writes well and I am totally engrossed (perhaps the cold martini that I sip while I read helps!).  He covers the personal life of the IF as only an eyewitness could, lots of descriptions of daily life, and he brings an emotional sensitivity and understanding to them that helps me understand why the IF, particularly the Tsar and Tsarina, reacted to the swirl of events around them as they did.  Also, he writes sympathetically about them without lionizing them, in my opinion.

Anyways, I highly recommend it.  And thanks much for the link to the museum site.