Alexander I (1777–1825)

Tsar of Russia from 1801. Defeated by Napoleon at Austerlitz in 1805, he made peace at Tilsit in 1807, but economic crisis led to a break with Napoleon's Continental System and the opening of Russian ports to British trade; this led to Napoleon's ill-fated invasion of Russia in 1812. After the Congress of Vienna in 1815, Alexander hoped through the Holy Alliance with Austria and Prussia to establish a new Christian order in Europe.

After Napoleon's defeat Russia controlled the Congress Kingdom of Poland, for which a constitution was provided.

The first half of Alexander's reign was marked by several reforms and improvements: the abolition of torture, the creation of ministries and of the Council of State, the foundation of several universities and of an extensive state school system, and the liberation of serfs (without land) in the Baltic provinces and the granting of permission to squires elsewhere to free their serfs with land. Later, however, Alexander became mystical and reactionary, and undid much of the good previously done.

Alexander I (c. 1078–1124)

King of Scotland from 1107, known as ‘the Fierce’. He ruled over the area to the north of the rivers Forth and Clyde, while his brother and successor David ruled over the area to the south. He assisted Henry I of England in his campaign against Wales in 1114, but defended the independence of the church in Scotland. Several monasteries, including the abbeys of Inchcolm and Scone, were established by him.

Alexander I (1857–1893)

Prince of Bulgaria (Alexander Joseph of Battenberg; Prince Alexander of Hesse). A nephew of Tsar Alexander II of Russia, he was, at Russia's proposal, elected first sovereign prince of autonomous Bulgaria. Once elected, however, Alexander pursued a policy which ran counter to Russian interests and Russian pressure compelled him to step down 1886.

Alexander I (died 145 BC)

King of Syria 150–145 BC. He was a man of low birth who pretended to be the son of Antiochus IV. He was defeated and dethroned by Demetrius II of Syria.

Alexander I (died 330 BC)

King of Epirus, Greece, about 342–330 BC. In 332 he crossed to Italy, to aid the Tarentines against the Samnites and other tribes, but was defeated and killed near Pandosia.

He was the brother of Olympias, mother of Alexander the Great; he was also the son-in-law of Philip II of Macedon, whose daughter Cleopatra he married 336 and who had made him king of Epirus.

Alexander I (died c. 450 BC)

King of Macedonia c. 500–454 BC. He was obliged to submit to the Persians, and accompanied Xerxes in his invasion of Greece 480 BC. He was succeeded by Perdiccas II.