Demidoff, a Russian family distinguished for wealth and beneficence, is descended from Nikita Demidoff, originally a blacksmith at Tula, who in the time of Peter the Great became famous as a manufacturer of arms, and amassed an immense fortune.
Of the numerous princes of the line, perhaps the most famous is Prince Anatol (1813-70), born at Moscow, but educated in France. He was always remarkable for his enthusiasm in letters and in the sciences; his principal work being his Travels in South-east Europe (4 vols. Paris, 1839-49). It contains very valuable scientific observations, and is magnificently illustrated.