Russian Mata Hari: how Daria Liven spied for more than 40 years for the benefit of the Russian Empire

She transmitted valuable information directly to Emperor Alexander I and personally received new tasks from him. For over 40 years, spinning in the highest circles of European society, living in London and Paris, Daria Lieven spied for the good of the Russian Empire. She was in a warm relationship and had personal correspondence with several prominent politicians of that era and never aroused suspicion, and remained the secret agent of the emperor.

Daria Lieven, nee Benckendorf (1785-1857)

Daria Khristoforovna Benkendorf came from a noble family and was the younger sister of Alexander Benkendorf. Due to the early death of her mother, Daria Khristoforovna was brought up in a guardian family, and her guardian was Empress Maria Fedorovna herself, the wife of Paul I and the mother of the future Russian emperors Alexander I and Nicholas I. Therefore, it is not surprising that the girl received a brilliant education, freely She knew 4 languages and was well versed in music. The Empress made Daria her maid of honor and arranged her personal life. Earl of Christopher Lieven, Minister of War of the Russian Empire, became the husband of a young, educated and promising girl.

After several years of marriage, held in endless balls, feasts and social events, Daria Lieven went to Berlin, where her husband served. As befits a lady from a noble family who has a noble husband and is well educated, she organized a salon where representatives of high Berlin society spent evenings. But in her own words, she was bored in Prussia, and the local society did not correspond to her status and education. Soon, her husband was transferred to London, where Daria Khristoforovna fully revealed her diplomatic talent.

In the English capital, Daria Lieven, thanks to her charm, education and sharp mind, quickly gained fame as a socialite. The diplomats, military and other representatives of the London nobility happily came to the literary and political salon organized by her. The relaxed atmosphere, expensive alcohol and the charm of an educated housewife encouraged a leisurely conversation, so the Russian princess was always up to date with the latest news and important events. The information she collected was sent through correspondence to the Russian Empire, and Emperor Alexander I regretted that Princess Lieven was a woman and she could not be accepted for diplomatic service.

But perhaps this very fact was the reason for her incredible espionage success. Politicians and generals saw in her only a woman, albeit an educated one, and could not have imagined that she was collecting information and transmitting it directly to the secret office of the Russian emperor. Particularly important reports were written in sympathetic ink. Rumors periodically appeared about her romance with prominent European politicians, with many of whom she had been in secret correspondence for many years. Her admirers included Austrian Chancellor Metternich, British Foreign Minister George Canning, and French Minister Francois Guizot.

It is also interesting that Daria Liven not only recognized and transmitted valuable information to St. Petersburg, but also had an influence on prominent European politicians, inciting them to make decisions in favor of an alliance with the Russian Empire.