Prince Aleksandr Sergeyevich Menshikov (Александр Сергеевич Меншиков in Russian)(August 26 1787 — May 1 1869, all n.s.) was a Russian military commander and statesman, adjutant general (1817), admiral (1833).
A descendant of the 1st Prince Menshikov, Aleksandr began his military career in 1809. He became close with Alexander I and accompanied the emperor in all his foreign trips. In 1817, Menshikov was appointed acting General Quartermeister of the General Staff. In 1823, he was transferred to the ministry of foreign affairs. Menshikov retired from army service in 1824. He then was appointed head of the Naval Headquarters and cabinet minister by Nicholas I. In 1830, Menshikov became a member of the State Council. In 1831, Menshikov held the post of Governor General of Finland. He mainly devoted himself to naval matters and exerted very bad influence on the development of the Russian Navy, stalling its technical progress and combat training.
In 1853, Menshikov was sent on a special mission to Constantinople, and when the Crimean War broke out he was appointed commander-in-chief by land and sea. He commanded the Russian army at the Alma and Inkerman and showed incompetence and lack of military talent. On February 15, 1855, Menshikov was removed from command, and replaced by Prince Gorchakov. Between December of 1855 and April of 1856, he held the post of Governor General of Kronstadt and then retired. He died in St.Petersburg.
