hazing and other abuse of pages for which the Corps had become notorious. However, the education provided was of a relatively high standard, with courses in mathematics, languages, sciences, and military subjects. Court role and privileges The students served on a rotational basis as pages at Court and provided services at ceremonies, including attendance upon individual members of the Imperial family. Graduates from the Page Corps had the unique privilege of joining the regiment of their own choice, regardless of the existing vacancies (however, as a matter of etiquette, the consent of the unit's commander was sought beforehand). As serving officers, they wore, on the left side of their tunic, the badge of the Page Corps, modeled after the cross of the Order of Saint John. Upon graduation, the cadets received the rank of podporuchik (cornet in cavalry). Those who preferred employment as diplomats or government officials, rather than military service, would receive civil service ranks of the 10th, 12th, and 14th class. Uniform The Page Corps had a range of uniforms for different purposes. The most spectacular of these was the gala uniform worn for Court functions. This comprised a spiked helmet with white plume, a dark green tunic with gold braid covering the front, white breeches and high boots. Disbandment From its inception until 1917, the Page Corps graduated 4,505 officers. An additional 200 were unable to complete their courses because of the revolution of 1917. The school effectively ceased to function following the overthrow of Tsar Nicholas II in February 1917, and it was finally closed in June of the same year on the orders of Alexander Kerensky, War Minister of the Provisional Government. References External links Russian Imperial Corps of Pages. An Online Exhibition Catalog // Rare Book & Manuscript Library (RBML) of Columbia University Military of the Russian Empire Education in Russia Military education and training in Russia History of Saint Petersburg Education in Saint Petersburg 1759 establishments in the Russian Empire 1917 disestablishments in Russia 1750s establishments in the Russian Empire 18th century in Saint Petersburg