Nikolai Alexandrovich Volkov, born on November 7, 1870, left a significant mark in history as a rear admiral and the last naval attaché of the Russian Empire at the embassy in London. His career began during a challenging period for Russia, when the country was on the brink of major political changes and global conflicts. In 1913, Volkov was appointed as naval attaché, coinciding with the onset of World War I. During this time, his main task was to coordinate British military supplies to the northern ports of the Russian Empire, which was of strategic importance for Russia at war.

After the end of World War I and the beginning of revolutionary events in Russia, Volkov remained in the United Kingdom. In 1919, he continued his service at the British Admiralty, where his contributions were recognized with the award of the Order of the Bath. This period was particularly difficult for Russian émigrés, many of whom found themselves in forced isolation from their homeland, which was undergoing revolution and civil war. Volkov, like many of his compatriots, faced the necessity of adapting to a new life abroad.

Later, he engaged in entrepreneurial activities, opening the 'Russian Tea Rooms' on Harrington Road in London. This small café became a meeting place for Russian émigrés and a symbol of preserving Russian culture in a foreign land. Volkov also headed the 'Society of Russian Naval Officers,' reflecting his desire to maintain connections with his compatriots and provide them assistance in new circumstances.

However, his life was not without clouds. In his later years, he was troubled by the revelation of his daughter Anna's espionage for Germany. This fact was a serious blow to Volkov, who had devoted his life to the ideals of his country. Despite this, his contributions to naval affairs and support for the Russian diaspora in the UK remain undeniable.

Nikolai Volkov is buried at Brompton Cemetery in London. His grave, like those of many other Russian émigrés, symbolizes the complex and rich history in which the fates of people forced to seek a new home far from their homeland are intertwined. Volkov's life reflects not only his personal achievements but also the fate of an entire generation that experienced revolution and emigration.