Tchaikovsky
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Nikolai von Meck (1863–1929)

Nikolai von Meck

Nephew of the composer by marriage (b. 16/28 April 1863; d. 23 May 1929), born Nikolai Karlovich von Meck (Николай Карлович фон Мекк, Nikolai Karlovič fon Mekk, Nikolay Karlovich fon Mekk).

Nikolai was the sixth child of Karl von Meck (1821–1876), and his wife Nadezhda (b. Frolovskaia, 1831–1894), who was Tchaikovsky's benefactress. He became president of the board of the Moscow-Kazan Railway, and from 1919 he worked for the People's Commissariat of Communications.

On 11/23 January 1884 he married Tchaikovsky's niece Anna Davydova (1864–1942) and they had five children: Kira (1885–1969); Mark (1890–1918); Galina (1891–1985); Attal (1894–1916); and Liutsella (1896–1933). In 1903 they adopted another daughter: Elena (b. Moiseeva, 1897–1926).

On 5 September 1928 Nikolai von Meck was arrested by the State Secret Police (OGPU) on false charges of sabotage, in connection with the so-called “Shakhty affair”, and was executed on 23 May 1929, aged 66.

Tchaikovsky's correspondence with Nikolai von Meck:

• 1 letter from Tchaikovsky to Nikolai von Meck has survived, dating from 1882.