The Stroganov family traces its origins to Veliky Novgorod. Spiridon, the progenitor of the family, was a contemporary of Dmitry Donskoy. His grandson Luka Kuzmich received the right to collect taxes from the Dvina land. Luka's son, Fyodor, moved to Solvychegodsk to develop new lands. Under Ivan the Terrible, the Stroganovs expanded their holdings by seizing lands from the Bashkirs, Mari, and Ostyaks, and also financed Ermak's troops against the forces of the Siberian Khan Kuchum.

In 1610, Vasily Shuisky ordered all Stroganovs and their descendants to use a patronymic and granted them the title of "noble people." During the Northern War, the Stroganovs provided significant financial support to the government of Peter I, and in 1712, three representatives of the family received baronial titles for their ancestors' merits.

Alexander Sergeyevich Stroganov was born on January 3, 1733, into the family of Baron Sergey Grigorievich Stroganov and Sofia Kirillovna Naryshkina. After receiving an excellent home education, he continued his studies in Europe in 1752. Following his father's death in 1757, Alexander returned to St. Petersburg, where, at the behest of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, he married Anna Mikhailovna, the daughter of Count M.I. Vorontsov. On the day of their engagement, in the presence of the empress, he was appointed chamber junker, marking the beginning of his successful court career.

Political events following the overthrow of Peter III affected Stroganov's family life. His wife and her father supported Peter III, while Stroganov himself was a supporter of Catherine II. Anna Mikhailovna returned to her father's house in 1764, and the divorce proceedings lasted until her sudden death in 1769.

Catherine II appointed Stroganov as chamberlain in the first year of her reign, in 1770 as a secret chamberlain, and in 1775 as a full secret advisor and senator. He was close to the empress, accompanied her on trips, and was known for his wit and independence from court intrigues.

In 1771, Stroganov married Princess Ekaterina Petrovna Trubetskaya. They lived in France for seven years, where their only son Pavel Alexandrovich was born. Upon returning to St. Petersburg, his wife became infatuated with Catherine II's former favorite Korsakov and left with him for Moscow. Stroganov remained at court, focused on raising his son and expanding his collection of paintings brought from Paris. By 1793, his gallery included 87 paintings by renowned artists, as well as a collection of prints, stones, medals, and coins. His library was considered one of the best in Russia. Catherine II maintained a friendly relationship with Stroganov, which led to his promotion to chief chamberlain and his award of the Order of John of Jerusalem.

In 1798, Stroganov received the title of count of the Russian Empire and was appointed president of the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts, as well as director of the Public Library, for which he drafted a project for its organization. He was entrusted with the construction of the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg. Under Alexander I, Stroganov became a member of the Main Administration of Schools and managed the St. Petersburg educational district. Since 1784, he had been the St. Petersburg marshal of the nobility.

Stroganov was known as a patron and supporter of Russian talents in art and literature: Derzhavin, Bortnyansky, Bogdanovich, and Krylov benefited from his support. The last ten years of his life were dedicated to the construction of the Kazan Cathedral. In 1809, as president of the Academy of Arts, he prepared a competition for architects for the design of St. Isaac's Cathedral.

The construction of the cathedral, a lavish lifestyle, the creation of one of the best art galleries in Russia, the collection of rarities, and care for the peasants significantly undermined Stroganov's fortune. His son inherited a debt of 3 million rubles, which required recourse to the government court for repayment.

On September 15, 1811, the day of the consecration of the Kazan Cathedral, Alexander Sergeyevich caught a cold and passed away on September 27 at the age of 78. He was buried in the same cathedral and interred at the Lazarevskoye Cemetery of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg. The royal family accompanied his body.

Alexander Sergeyevich left a good memory of himself as a "lively, sociable, well-read, and generous" person. His contemporaries appreciated him for his lavish receptions and hospitality. He was known for his humor and ability to engage in interesting conversations, always remaining noble in his actions.

In a letter of instruction to his son, the count bequeathed: "Pavel, my dear son, I have told you many times that faith in the one and true God is necessary always and everywhere. He is great and good, I believe in Him, and you, my son, believe in Him too. Be a good Russian, obey the demands of your country. Whether you are a leader or a subordinate, at court or not, remember my words: be kind, be straightforward, and be sure that by wishing for the attainable, you will achieve everything you desire. My greatest wish is that the goal of your life be love for truth, for all that is lofty and beautiful."