Durova Nadezhda Andreevna (aka Alexander Andreevich Alexandrov), cavalry girl and writer, 1783-1866, daughter of the hussar captain Durov; unloved by his mother, raised by hussar Astakhov. An unsuccessful marriage prompted her to enter the military service in disguise. She participated in the battles of Gutstadt, Heilsberg, Friedland, was awarded the badge of George and promoted to officer; under Borodin, shell-shocked, but 1813 took part in the campaign abroad D. 1816 retired headquarters. Breakaway. from Notes 1836 (in Sovremennik), dep. "Cavalry Girl" 1836; add. 1839, a number of stories in Sovr., "Bible. for honor.," "Father. Zap."; dep. "Tales and Race." etc. Brockhaus-Jefron