The Volkonsky family holds an important place in Russian history, and one of its prominent representatives was Sergei Mikhailovich Volkonsky. He was the great-grandson of the famous head of the 3rd Section of His Imperial Majesty's Chancellery and friend of the Tsar Benkendorf, as well as a director, critic, memoirist, and writer. Volkonsky was a significant figure in Russian emigration.

Sergei Mikhailovich was born on May 16, 1860, and received an excellent education that could have made him an outstanding statesman or military leader. However, from an early age, he was passionate about theater, and this passion eventually became his profession, which was unusual for an aristocrat of that time. He performed on the stage of the imperial theater and later became the director of the imperial theaters, actively working on the development of theatrical art in Russia. Volkonsky was close to Stanislavsky and sought to elevate the standards of theaters.

Prince Volkonsky became the first Russian to tour the United States, giving lectures on history and literature. His contribution to culture was known far beyond Russia, and he consistently participated in various world exhibitions and congresses. The Russian Seasons owe much of their emergence to him.

After the Bolsheviks came to power, Sergei Mikhailovich remained in Russia and tried to continue his creative work. He endured violations of his rights but could not come to terms with the disappearance of the concept of creativity. In 1921, he left his homeland for good.

In emigration, Sergei Mikhailovich continued to attract attention and played an important role in the creative life of his compatriots. He wrote extensively, taught, and led. Creativity helped him cope with personal losses, but on October 25, 1937, he passed away at a resort in the American state of Virginia, where he was buried. Hundreds of people came to say goodbye to him. At the memorial service in Paris, according to eyewitnesses, all of Russian Paris attended. He left a significant creative legacy, including a number of books, some of which were published in emigration and continue to be reprinted to this day.