MELIKOFF, LORIS, MICHAEL TARIELOVITCH, b. Russia, 1826; descended from a wealthy family of the Caucasian nobility. He was educated in the school of the guard of St. Petersburg, and joined the army with the rank of cornet, being promoted to a lieu tenancy in 1847. He saw active service in the Caucasus, as adjutant to prince. Vorow zoff, and gained a reputation for remarkable military talents. Here he led a number of expeditions against the fierce native soldiery, and bad even the honor of defeating the celebrated Shamyl. During the Crimean war he had several successful engagements, with the enemy in front of Kars, and on the capitulation of that stronghold was. appointed its governor. In 1856, at the close of the war, he was made a maj.gen., and in 1863 lieut.gen. He was appointed adj.gen. in 1865, and gen. of cavalry in 1875; and in the following year was placed in command of the corps which was stationed on the Turkish frontier, and, on the declaration of war, marched into the enemy's territory.
He besieged Kars and encountered serious resistance, beino- forced to retire; he, how ever, received reinforcements, defeated the Turkish army before Kars, and captured the . fortress by storm. In 1880 the nihilist movernents having become alarming, and the clanger of Russia being apparently imminent, the czar Alexander appointed Melikoff to . it position of absolute authority and power—an actual dictatorship without responsi bility—in which delicate and datumrous situation he conducted himself in such a manner. as to command the admiration (Alm statesmen of Europe. He restored order in a great measure where anarchy had been impending.; and \yielded his unlitnited authority with. such firmness and judgment as to fully sustain the wisdom of his appointment.