Neal Martin, age 14, of Davenport, Iowa., for his question:

WHO WAS RASPUTIN?

Rasputin was a Siberian peasant who gained the reputation of a saint. He exerted harmful influences on Nicholas II, the last Russian emperor, contributing to the downfall of the Russian empire.

In his middle 30s, Rasputin joined a religious sect and soon became known as a holy man. In 1907 he was introduced to the czar and czarina of Russia in order to help heal their son, who suffered from hemophilia.

Rasputin's apparent success gave him great influence on the imperial couple.

It wasn't long until Rasputin was meddling in political decisions and ministerial appointments.

History tells us that Rasputin was selfish, greedy and dissolute. Although he was assassinated in 1916, his death wasn't enough to save the empire. Revolution broke out within three months.