Stepan Stepanovich Apraksin, born on July 13, 1757, and died on February 8, 1827, was a general of cavalry from 1798 and served as the military governor of Smolensk in 1803. He was the only son of Field Marshal S. F. Apraksin and the founder of the estate Olgovo. In Moscow, where he spent his last years, he was known as a hospitable host and a theater enthusiast.

Apraksin came from a non-titled branch of the Apraksin family and was born in Riga, many years after his sisters, Maria Talizina and Elena Kurakina. He was raised in Maria's home, as he became an orphan at an early age.

Being a godson of the Empress, Apraksin was listed as a second lieutenant in the Life Guards Semenovsky Regiment from infancy. In 1772, he became a captain, and in 1777, he was appointed as a flag adjutant and transferred to the Kyiv Infantry Regiment, with which he participated in the Crimean campaigns against the Turks.

In 1783, Apraksin, being a brigadier, was appointed to the Astrakhan Dragoon Regiment in the Caucasus. He distinguished himself in battles against the Chechens and Kuban highlanders, for which he received the Order of St. Vladimir 3rd class. In 1786, he became a major general and the chief of the Astrakhan Dragoon Regiment, and was also awarded the Order of St. Anna.

During the 1788 campaign against the Turks, Apraksin participated in the siege of Ochakov. In 1793, he was promoted to lieutenant general and took part in the campaign against the Polish Confederates, earning the favor of A. V. Suvorov. In 1796, he commanded troops on the Turkish and Austrian borders. Under Paul I, Apraksin became the chief of the Astrakhan Dragoon Regiment.

In 1798, Apraksin was promoted to general of cavalry but soon retired due to illness. Under Alexander I, he returned to service, becoming the inspector of cavalry and the military governor of Smolensk. For 25 years of impeccable service, he was awarded the Order of St. George 4th class and the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky.

In 1807, Apraksin was tasked with forming the 16th Infantry Division, with which he was on a campaign to the Danube. In 1809, he retired again and settled in Moscow, where he was renowned for his hospitality and grandeur. His ball on January 7, 1818, attended by about 1000 guests, became legendary.

Apraksin hosted literary readings, concerts, and performances in his home. His theater featured imperial actors and serf artists. In 1827, the opera "The Thieving Magpie" by G. Rossini was performed on his stage, attended by A. S. Pushkin and F. F. Vigel. The playwright S. P. Zhikharev wrote of his home as a place of luxury and hospitality.

Apraksin also welcomed guests at his estate Lygovo, where life was full of entertainment. Lygovo had its own factories and a chemical plant, and the household numbered up to 1000 people. Apraksin personally oversaw the estate and organized festivities for the peasants. He loved to build and renovate, disregarding expenses, and always said that he had everything he needed.