Semyon Abamelek-Lazarev (original) (raw)

Prince Semyon Semyonovich Abamelek-Lazarev (also Abamelik-Lazaryan; Russian: Семён Семёнович Абамелек-Лазарев; 24 November 1857 in Moscow – 2 October 1916 in Kislovodsk) was a Russian millionaire of Armenian origin noted for his contributions to archaeology and geology. Prince Abamelek is also remembered as a patron of aviation. In 1912, he established the Romanov Cup for the first aviator who would fly from Saint Petersburg to Moscow and back within 24 hours. The Abamelek Cup was awarded in 1913 for the first flight from Odessa to Saint Petersburg.