Olga Tomilova

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Olga Tomilova (1822–1894) was a Russian educator from the Engelhardt family. She graduated from the Smolny Institute with top honors in 1839 and served as a lady-in-waiting before marrying estate owner Roman Tomilov (1812–1864). After he died, she became a widow, returned as a lady-in-waiting, and in 1872 was named deputy principal. She led the Smolny Institute in Saint Petersburg from 1875 to 1886 and introduced reforms inspired by Western Europe, expanding formal education for women and adding training in practical crafts.