21 Facts About Alexander Mantashev

Alexander Mantashev was a prominent Russian oil magnate, industrialist, financier, and a philanthropist of Armenian origin.

Alexander Mantashev's stay in Manchester played an important role in the development of his character.

Alexander Mantashev learned the secrets and crafts of the textile industry in Manchester, and the ways of European business and English culture.

Alexander Mantashev became interested in a new business venture, when he was looking into the prospects of Baku oil.

Alexander Mantashev bought unprofitable oil wells in Baku that soon became profitable.

In 1896, during a trip to Egypt, Alexander Mantashev met Calouste Gulbenkian who was fleeing the Ottoman Empire with his family as a result of the Hamidian massacres.

Alexander Mantashev introduced Gulbenkian to influential circles in Cairo, including Sir Evelyn Baring.

For refining oil, Alexander Mantashev built a kerosene plant in Baku, as well as a lubricant plant and a marine refinery for pumping oil and fuel to vessels.

Alexander Mantashev's company owned a factory for the fabrication of canisters for the packaging and storage of oil in Batumi, a mechanical workshop in Zabrat, an oil pumping station in Odessa, and even one hundred freight cars circulating in the southwestern railways of Russia.

Alexander Mantashev became a shareholder in a number of oil companies, among them the Nobel Brothers.

Alexander Mantashev funded the Baku-Batumi pipeline which was launched in 1907, becoming the world's longest pipeline, 835 kilometers long.

Alexander Mantashev donated 300,000 rubles towards the building of the Nersessian spiritual academy.

Alexander Mantashev donated 250,000 rubles to the Armenian religious centre Echmiadzin for the building of the residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians ; construction completed in 1914.

Alexander Mantashev hand-picked fifty talented young Armenians and sent over two hundred to study at the best universities of Russia and Europe.

The most famous donation made by Alexander Mantashev remains the Armenian Church of St John the Baptist in Paris on Jean Goujon street.

Alexander Mantashev explained that he chose Paris because that's the city where he sinned most.

Alexander Mantashev did not like gold and never wore jewellery.

Alexander Mantashev only attached a fresh flower to his vest.

Alexander Mantashev did not have an entourage and enjoyed traveling by tram in Tiflis.

Alexander Mantashev intended to build a similar theater in Yerevan.

Alexander Mantashev's body was moved to Tiflis and buried next to his wife at the cemetery of Vank Cathedral which was being restored at the time with his donations.