1. Artur Pavlovich Cassini, Marquess of Capizucchi di Bologna and Count Cassini, known as Arthur Cassini, was a Russian aristocrat and lifelong diplomat who served in the Diplomatic Service of the Imperial Russian Government for 55 years during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Arthur Cassini was born in Trieste, Austrian Empire in 1835 into a noble Russian family of Western European lineage.
Arthur Cassini was grandfather of Igor Cassini, Russian-American journalist, and Oleg Cassini, fashion designer.
In 1854, Count Arthur Cassini entered Imperial Service in the Ministry of foreign affairs.
Arthur Cassini held the same position subsequently at the Russian missions in Baden, Copenhagen and Hamburg.
At the outset of his time in Washington, Arthur Cassini allegedly saw some coolness to his Government in official circles in the United States as a result of his Government's perceived position with respect to Spain.
Arthur Cassini advised the Emperor that an impartial course between the combatants would be the best one for his Government, and that advice was followed.
Arthur Cassini was seen as being too much of an old school diplomat, and although his adroitness worked well in Beijing, the American Press reported that this was too much the diplomacy of previous generations and as a result, Cassini "as such was unable to secure the confidence of either the people or the government of the United States".
Amongst the most eventful issues to emerge during Arthur Cassini's tenure at Washington was an alleged plot to kill the emissary, which resulted in the Russian Legation in Washington being placed under armed guard for a period in 1904.
Reports differ as to the reason for his withdrawal as Ambassador, with the New York Times reporting differences over the strategy to pursue peace with Japan following the Battle of Tsushima, but Morris charging that "Arthur Cassini, having lied to Roosevelt once too often, had been tactfully recalled by the Tsar".
Whatever the reason, Arthur Cassini was recalled prior to the beginning of the peace talks which would lead to the Peace of Portsmouth.
Arthur Cassini retired in 1909, after having spent 55 years in the service of the Emperor.