Felix Sumarokov-Elston (Russian: Феликс Сумароков‑Эльстон; 14 May 1859 – 10 June 1928) was a Russian nobleman and Imperial Army officer. He is primarily noted for his marriage into the Yusupov family and for being the father of Prince Felix Yusupov, a prominent figure in the 1916 assassination of Grigori Rasputin.
Family background
- Born into the Sumarokov family, a lineage of Russian aristocracy with historical military service.
- The “Elston” component of his surname derives from his paternal grandmother’s English‑origin surname, reflecting the family’s occasional foreign connections.
Military career
- Served as an officer in the Imperial Russian Army, attaining the rank of colonel.
- His service record includes participation in routine duties of the Russian aristocratic officer corps; specific campaigns are not documented in widely available encyclopedic sources.
Marriage and name change
- In 1881, Sumarokov-Elston married Princess Zinaida Nikolayevna Yusupova, the sole heir of the wealthy Yusupov family.
- By imperial decree in 1885, he was authorized to adopt the Yusupov surname and princely title, becoming Prince Felix Yusupov (while retaining the Sumarokov‑Elston lineage). This arrangement ensured the continuation of the Yusupov name and estates.
Issue
- Prince Felix Yusupov (1887–1967), later known for his role in Rasputin’s murder.
- Princess Irina Felixovna Yusupova (1895–1970), who married Count Nikolai Dmitrievich Sheremetev.
Later life and death
- Following the Russian Revolution, he emigrated with his family, eventually settling in Paris, France.
- Died in Paris on 10 June 1928.
Historical significance
Felix Sumarokov-Elston’s principal historical relevance derives from his marriage into one of Russia’s wealthiest aristocratic families, facilitating the succession of the Yusupov line, and from his son’s involvement in a major political event that contributed to the destabilization of the late‑imperial regime.
