Moltchanoff

Research Status: Stub Last Updated: 2026-05-31 Diary Coverage: Carnet 005 (June 1873, Nice)

Overview

A Russian man who repeatedly appeared at the Bashkirtseff household in June 1873, causing Marie considerable anxiety. She describes him as "cet horrible Moltchanoff" and "un homme dangereux," suspecting him of being a spy or secret police agent ("un agent quelconque," a member of the 3rd Section, or a Nechaev-type revolutionary). He arrived uninvited on June 12 and June 13, and was brought along in the family's carriage to Monaco, to Marie's great indignation.

Diary References

• June 12, 1873 (005.0246): The same Russian stranger encountered on the train who now visits; Marie calls him "étrange et me répugne," suspects him of being a spy or Nechaev-follower.
• June 13, 1873 (005.0262): "Cet horrible Moltchanoff est venu" — he visits again despite Marie's wish to deny him entry; identified by name for the first time.

Research Notes

The Russian surname Молчанов (Molchanov) is common. Marie's suspicions of secret police or revolutionary connections cannot be verified. "Moltchanoff" is the French transliteration.