The Tsar's Doctor

by Mary McGrigor

Born in Kincardine in 1767, James Wylie became one of the most celebrated doctors in Europe and the centre of two of the most fascinating and enduring conspiracy theories in Russian history. Having performed the first tracheotomy operation to be carried out in Russia on Count Kutaisof, one of the Tsar Paul I's favourites, Wylie was made the Tsar's personal doctor. When the Tsar was assassinated in March 1801, Wylie made his first steps into infamy when he signed the death certificate, mysteriously giving apoplexy, in place of strangulation, as the cause. Wylie went on to serve the Tsar's son, Alexander I, devotedly for twenty-four years; he was with him at Tilsit, when he concluded a treaty with Napoleon and was as a field surgeon at the battles of Austerlitz, Jenna and at Borodino where he reputedly carried out 200 operations on the field. Tolstoy is thought to have made him the doctor who features in "War and Peace". Following Napoleon's defeat, Wylie accompanied Alexander on his triumphant entry into Paris and subsequently went with him to England, where the Prince Regent knighted him at the Tsar's special request.Following the Treaty of Vienna, Alexander returned to Russia before travelling to the Crimea - where he contracted Crimean fever. In spite of Wylie's protestations, the Tsar refused to take any form of medication and died soon afterwards. Once again Wylie signed the death certificate, but rumour soon spread through the Empire that the Tsar, who had become intensely religious, had escaped to live in Siberia where, some time later, he emerged as a visionary monk. In "The Tsars' Doctor", Mary McGrigor unravels the many mysteries surrounding Wylie's life and his involvement with the Romanov dynasty, using contemporary evidence and Wylie's own diaries to examine the details of his great achievements and his participation in several of the most momentous events in 19th century Russian history.

Genres: History, Biography

224 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2010

About the author

Mary McGrigor grew up in a Scottish medieval castle which inspired her love of history.

Married to Sir Charles McGrigor, she was first a soldier's, and then a farmer's wife.

She has four children, twelve grandchildren, and two great granddaughters.

The author of many books and magazine articles, she lives in Argyll.

Reviews

[Jacqueline Ferguson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm slightly perplexed by this book. It's title tells you it's the Tsar's Doctor but in the first couple of pages you are told that the notes/diary of Sir James Wylie was destroyed so you get 200 pages about Alexander I with small snippets that Sir James travelled with him. So be prepared you learn nothing about the doctor but it is an easy read about the Czar.

[Tim Newell · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent account of the innovative development of field hospitals for the army by Scotsman Wylie contributing to the defeat of Napoleon. History coming alive.

[Marianna Still · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really well written, reads like a novel. I don't think I've ever enjoyed a piece of non-fiction so much.