This book defines aspects of Russian culture which bear the marks of French influence and
explores the historical origins of that influence. While it is generally acknowledged that
Russia's culture has been influenced by France no systematic history of the origins of this
influence has been written. Previous research has dealt only superficially with the topic
focusing almost exclusively on the Francophile preferences of society's elite. The present
study examines Russian society more broadly and explores those elements of French cultural
influence still relevant today through an historical analysis of the Russian language
