Contemporaries of Catherine 2 table. Husband or no husband? Development of legislative acts

Plan
Introduction
1 Feature
2 Chronological listings
2.1 Husbands, lovers and favorites
2.2 Children

3 In books, film and propaganda
4 See also
5 Bibliography
Bibliography Introduction The list of men of Catherine II includes men who figured in the intimate life of Empress Catherine the Great (1729-1796), including her spouses (legitimate and possibly morganatic; highlighted in purple in the table), official favorites and lovers. Catherine enjoys notoriety due to their connections with numerous lovers, however, the number of names actually known from the memoirs of contemporaries reaches only 23 (according to the list of the Ekaterinologist P. I. Bartenev with additions by Ya. L. Barskov; there are discrepancies). Only 10 of them officially occupied the post of favorite with all his privileges and duties, and therefore information about the others is rather vague, in particular, it is not always clear to what stage their relationship with the empress reached and how long they lasted, and for several they are not known exact surnames (highlighted in green in the table). The most famous of her favorites were Grigory Orlov, Grigory Potemkin and Platon Zubov. After the death of her husband Peter III in 1762 she planned a marriage with Orlov, however, on the advice of those close to her, she abandoned this idea, and with Potemkin, most likely, Catherine was secretly married in 1775 (see Wedding of Catherine II and Potemkin) - with these two men, as well as with with the early death of Alexander Lansky, she was connected by the most strong feelings. Three or four children were born to Catherine, and two or three more are attributed to her (see separate table). 1. Feature In 1778, the Frenchman Corberon reported to his government that “in Russia, at times, a kind of interregnum in affairs is noticed, which coincides with the displacement of one favorite and the appearance of a new one. This event overshadows all others. It concentrates on itself all interests and directs them in one direction; even ministers, to whom this general mood responds, suspend business until the final choice of a temporary worker brings everyone back to normal condition and will not give the government machine its usual course. ”Usually (with the exception of a short period in 1778-1780, when she was under fifty, and she changed several lovers in a short time), Catherine spent several years with her favorites, parting with them usually due to incompatibility of characters, poor education favorites, their betrayals or misbehavior (the problems for the favorites arose due to the large age difference with the empress, the rigid schedule of her day and control over their schedule, and the need to pay respect to Potemkin). The surviving correspondence of Catherine with her lovers betrays “her unbridled sensuality”, but “as far as we know, she never entered into a relationship without love. There is no evidence that she ever approached a man, not believing that she was entering into long and serious relationship» . Probably, there were both "transitional cases" and "one-night dates" in search of a suitable companion, but they were inevitably rare, since it was almost impossible to bring someone into the palace and take them out without passing numerous servants, guards and courtiers who invariably noticed and commented any actions of the empress (information about a potential future favorite was valuable - letters from foreign diplomats to their homeland indicate that they carefully collected such rumors). Catherine's relationship with her favorites was the warmest, she actually passionately fell in love with each of them, surrounding each care and attention. The novel usually began "with a flash of her maternal love, German sentimentality and admiration for the beauty of a new lover. She admired the current favorite in communication with others, and when it became necessary to part with him, she fell into depression and sometimes abandoned business for several weeks. None of the lovers who lost her favor, even those who cheated on her, were not subjected to serious disgrace, they were usually sent from the capital with large gifts to the bestowed estates. Contemporaries and historians (especially Soviet ones) calculated the amounts that Catherine spent on gifts to her beloved during the period of favor, and called colossal numbers. Potemkin shortly before her death, April 1791 Almost all of her favorites after Potemkin were presented to Catherine by him personally (except for Zubov) and defended his interests. Apparently, after the crisis caused by the appearance of the next favorite after Potemkin, Zavadovsky, an “tacit agreement” was concluded between Catherine and Potemkin: each favorite should protect the interests of the prince at court. She demanded unquestioning obedience to Potemkin from the favorites, and if this rule was violated, the favorite was fired. The favorites of the empress were young people who had neither wealth nor influential relatives, who owed their exaltation entirely to Potemkin and Catherine and did not subsequently play an independent role. Potemkin's biographer writes that historians often overlooked the triangle "Catherine - Potemkin - young favorite", but it was precisely such a triangle that constituted the "family" of the empress. Potemkin's rooms were still connected to the apartments of the Empress, he had the right to enter without a report, and the current favorite at any moment could be faced with the need to endure his company or even retire. Apparently, Ekaterina and Potemkin did not interrupt their “marital relations” until the end of their lives. Some memoirists call him "favorite-anshef", and the rest - "Unter favorites". 2. Chronological lists 2.1. Husbands, lovers and favorites №

Name Portrait The beginning of a relationship End of a relationship Status Note Officially recognized Grand Duchess Anna Petrovna(1757-1759), most likely, was the daughter of Poniatowski, as he himself believed Grand Duke Pyotr Fedorovich, who, judging by the Notes of Catherine, used to say: “God knows where my wife gets pregnant from; I don’t know for sure if this child is mine and if I should recognize him as mine. ” In the future, Catherine will make him King of Poland, and then annex Poland and annex it to Russia. The only foreigner on the list of beloved Catherine, a born German princess: such an addiction to Russian beauties pleased her subjects, who remembered the “German dominance” of favorites Anna Ioannovna and Anna Leopoldovna. Born Little Russian. Since his retirement, he has held prominent positions in the administration. He loved the empress “like a woman” and was truly jealous of her, which hurt him in her eyes. I could not forget her even after parting. He left for the Lyalichi estate granted to him, in 1777 he was recalled by the Empress back to the capital, since 1780 he has been studying on her behalf administrative activities. Became the first minister public education. He married Vera Nikolaevna Apraksina, daughter of S. O. Apraksina, niece and master of Kirill Razumovsky. Considered next in ability after Potemkin among Catherine's favorites; the only one, besides him, whom she allowed to return and instructed to study state activities. 25 years younger than the empress; Catherine was attracted by his announced "innocence". He was very handsome and had an excellent voice (for the sake of it, Catherine invited world-famous musicians to Russia). After losing favor, he first stayed in St. Petersburg and talked about his connection with the empress in the living rooms, which hurt her pride. In addition, he left Bruce and began an affair with Countess Ekaterina Stroganova (he was 10 years younger than her). This turned out to be too much, and Catherine sent him to Moscow. In the end, her husband divorced Stroganova. Korsakov lived with her until the end of her life, they had a son and two daughters. Chronology of the "interregnum" (according to Kazimir Valishevsky):

1778, June - the rise of Korsakov 1778, August - rivals are trying to beat off the favors of the empress from him, they are supported by Potemkin (on the one hand) and Panin and Orlov (on the other) 1778, September - Strakhov defeats his rivals 4 months later - the rise of Levashov. A young man patronized by Countess Bruce, Sveikovsky (or Svihovsky), pierced himself with a sword in desperation that this officer was preferred to him. Rimsky-Korsakov on short time returns to his former position Rimsky-Korsakov fights with Stoyanov

29 years younger than the 54-year-old at the time of the beginning of the relationship of the empress. The only one of the favorites who did not interfere in politics and refused influence, ranks, and orders. He shared Catherine's interest in the sciences and, under her guidance, studied French and got acquainted with philosophy. Enjoyed universal sympathy. He sincerely adored the empress and tried his best to keep peace with Potemkin. If Catherine began to flirt with someone else, Lanskoy “did not get jealous, didn’t cheat on her, didn’t dare, but so touching […] he lamented her disfavor and suffered so sincerely that he won her love again.” In 1767, while traveling along the Volga, Catherine stopped at his father's estate and took the 13-year-old boy to St. Petersburg. Potemkin took him into his retinue, and almost 20 years later he proposed a candidate as a favorite. He was tall and slender, blond, sullen, taciturn, honest and too simple. With letters of recommendation from Chancellor Count Bezborodko, he left for Germany and Italy. Everywhere he kept himself very modest. After his resignation, he settled in Moscow and married Elizaveta Mikhailovna Golitsyna, with whom he had children. The nephew of the previous favorite is Vasily Levashov. Then he left for Austria, where he bought a rich and profitable Frosdorf estate near Vienna, where he died at the age of 82. 28-year-old at the time of the beginning of the relationship. He was tall and intelligent. He wrote poetry and plays. He did not interfere in the administration of the state. Being married in Moscow, he repeatedly applied to Empress Catherine II with a request to allow him to return to St. Petersburg, but was refused. As Golovkin remarked: “He was neither this nor that, and nothing at all; he had only one entertainment - to harass his wife, whom he endlessly accused of being the culprit of his complete insignificance. She bore him 4 children, eventually dispersed. 2.2. Children Catherine's motherhood is indisputable only in relation to three children, and practically certain in relation to the fourth. Family ties with her, the remaining children (highlighted in blue in the table) are unprovable. Her only legitimate child, Grand Duke Pavel, was the result of her third pregnancy, the first two ended in miscarriages (December 1750 and March 1753). Name Portrait Years of life Father Note The baby was given to the upbringing of Potemkin's relatives. Although the version regarding Catherine's motherhood is considered generally accepted, there are also doubts about her - for example, the modern biographer Potemkin Montefiore doubts this, pointing out that there is no evidence that Potemkin cared for her, as he usually took care of his relatives, and also pointing out that that Tyomkin was never advertised at court, unlike Bobrinsky, who was not hidden at all. It is also worth noting the large time gap between the birth of Bobrinsky and Tyomkina and the dangerously mature age of Catherine II by this time. In addition, in the rooms of Catherine, her legitimate grandchildren from Paul (Alexander, Konstantin, etc.) were brought up, as well as for some time his eldest, illegitimate son, Semyon the Great. 3. In books, movies and propaganda Catherine II began to be notorious for her love of love even during her lifetime (largely due to anti-Russian propaganda), so in the literature you can find the most incredible fabrications about her intimate life (the number of lovers was called in the amount of 200-300 people) and all kinds of perversions, including bestiality. Young Grand Duchess Ekaterina Alekseevna

According to Lavoe, Catherine allegedly had a lover back in her homeland in Stettin, Count B..., who thought he was married to her, but this marriage was fictitious, since during the wedding Catherine was replaced in front of the altar by one of her friends, hidden under veil. This, at the direction of Valishevsky, is simply stupid fairy tale. The same Lavoe, gossiping, wrote that Saltykov had given way to some buffoon Dalolio, a Venetian by birth, and he also arranged new acquaintances for several days with his august mistress in the Yelagin house. Favoritism at Catherine's court was condemned by many, primarily by those who found themselves in political opposition (for example, Grand Duke Pavel Petrovich, Semyon Vorontsov, Pyotr Panin). Mikhail Shcherbatov, in his essay “On the Corruption of Morals in Russia,” criticized her vice. This theme has become especially fashionable in last years the reign of Catherine, when not a single foreigner who wrote about Russia could do without mentioning her. Gossip lover Oxford professor John Parkinson, who visited the empire after Potemkin's death, collected and popularized jokes about Catherine: “In one company there was a dispute about which of the channels cost the most. One of those present noted that there can be no two opinions about this matter: the most expensive channel is Catherine's. Ambassador Sir John Macartney stated, in particular, that Catherine's taste for Russian men was due to the fact that "Russian wet nurses have a habit of constantly pulling off the male organ from babies, which miraculously lengthens it." O. Remizov, author of the book "Another Petersburg", tells how in late XIX century, the artist Konstantin Somov, the son of the curator of the Hermitage, hosted his friends - Kuzmin, possibly Diaghilev, Akhmatova and others. Somov said that his father discovered a magnificent cast of Potemkin's member in the Catherine's collection. When the guests did not believe him, he invited them to another room and showed them a porcelain cast. The item was later returned to the Hermitage, where it was never seen again. A description of the “tasting” of a potential favorite by women close to Catherine has been preserved. The author of the highly dubious memoirs Saint-Jean, who may have served in Potemkin's cavalry, repeated this story with the selection of the candidate by Potemkin, the examination by the doctor and the "main test" - and this legend is almost completely false, being true only in the possibility of examination by a doctor and the mention of dinner. The version of the "tasting" of future favorites, in particular Praskovya Bruce, is called into question by the fact that Bruce and the favorite Rimsky-Korsakov were removed from the court by Catherine for becoming lovers. Almost everyone believed in Potemkin's pimping: "Now he plays the same role that Pompadour did at the end of his life under Louis XV," de Corberon declared. In fact, the empress often chose not at all the one whom he read as her favorite, and the fact that she limited herself to his entourage was due to her confidence in their future loyalty to Potemkin. Leopold von Sacher-Masoch in the book “Novels of the Russian court. Passion at the Court of Catherine the Great" ( Katherina II, Russische Holgeschichten) describes Catherine's seduction of lieutenant Mirovich and her use of sex to intrigue the elimination of her rival, Emperor John Antonovich. Other short stories in the collection are also devoted to the adventures of Catherine in line with the author's favorite masochism under the hand strong woman. Before Saltykov, there was a certain number of her lovers modern composition and its derivatives were also recorded by Andrei Chernyshev and his two brothers, including Zakhar (probably referring to the famous sons of Avdotya Chernysheva, among whom was Zakhar, but there was no Andrei), the Swedish envoy of Count Polenberg, Kirill Razumovsky. In addition to Sergei Saltykov - his brother, after him and before Poniatovsky - Lev Naryshkin, from whom she allegedly became pregnant; 2 years after the start of communication with Orlov, they mention “the handsome Pole Vysotsky, whom she saw in the park” (in fact, a person with such a surname was Potemkin’s nephew and was introduced to the empress’s alcove several decades later). In the same text, however, it is described that she was with Vasilchikov for several weeks, while in fact - almost 2 years; also attributed to her as a constant lover of Chancellor Panin, court stoker Teplov, a certain Armenian merchant (Lazarev?), As well as lesbian ties, for example, with a gypsy brought by Potemkin. In particular, Suvorov's disgrace and his exile to the estate are associated with the fact that he allegedly refused to provide the empress with his daughter for carnal pleasures. The “case” of Zorich is here connected not with Potemkin’s intrigue, but with the fact that Catherine decided to caress the nephew of a certain midwife named Zorich, who, on her orders, allegedly poisoned the wife of Grand Duke Paul Natalya Alekseevna (the hussar Zorich, however, was from the nobility, and it is unlikely whether he had such relatives); Lanskoy in this case also turns out to be "poisoned" on the orders of Potemkin. Then they name among her favorites a certain officer Khvostov, Chancellor Bezborodko, Prince de Lin and Count de Segur. Mamonov’s wife, the maid of honor Shcherbatova, is not named Daria, but Elizabeth, and here she is not just given out with a dowry to marry a retired favorite, but on the orders of Catherine, the “overdone” Sheshkovsky immures her alive in the wall, then they take her out of there, marry, soldiers burst into the bedroom of the newlyweds, Mamonov is tied up, and his wife is raped by a company and beaten with whips on her back in blood. These and similar fabrications of pornographers, writing down any of her close associates as lovers of the Empress, do not agree with the studies of Catherine's scholars, who, based on the memoirs of contemporaries, compiled the list published above. The Polish-Jewish religious figure, false messiah Jacob Frank spread rumors that his daughter Eva Frank was born Catherine. According to gossip, Lanskoy died because he undermined his health with stimulants. Byron, poem "Don Juan"(1818-1819) - Catherine becomes the protagonist's mistress after the capture of Ishmael in 1790. Bernard Show. « Great Catherine» - a popular and screened play by the famous satirist playwright reinforced the myth of the depravity of the empress common in the West. Most repulsive is the rumor of an insatiable sexual appetite, due to which she died, allegedly being crushed by a stallion raised on a rope, with which she tried to copulate. This rumor most likely traces its history to revolutionary France, where the monarch was unpopular, and similar gossip about horses circulated about Marie Antoinette. In the West, Catherine was called the "Russian Messalina." There is a German porn movie from the 1980s "Katharina und ihre wilden Hengste (de)"(Catherine and her wild stallions). Robert Asprin and Linda Evans fantasy novel "Time Scouts" about time travel: “Some lucky guy with BB-73 managed to make a Gate in the middle of the Russian palace built by Catherine the Great, and inadvertently find her in a delicate position with one of those notorious Russian boars ... (...) He remembered Catherine the Great and her Russian boar, and he became curious what this young child would do in similar situation. Would you scream like an angry schoolgirl, or protest animal cruelty?” In one of the episodes of the animated series Clone High, a clone of Catherine enters into sexual relations with a clone of President Kennedy.

See alsoWedding of Catherine II and PotemkinList of favorites of Elizabeth PetrovnaList of illegitimate children of Russian emperors Bibliography

Bobrinsky A.G. Diary of Count Bobrinsky, kept in cadet corps and while traveling in Russia and abroad // Russian archive, 1877. - Prince. 3. - Issue. 10. - S. 116-165. Gelbig G. background Russian chosen ones. - M: 1999. Evgenyeva M. Lovers of Catherine. - M: Vneshtorgizdat, 1989. Catherine II and her favorites. Features. Evidence. Cases. Jokes. Jokes. - 2004. - ISBN 5-89947-004-6 Virginia Rounding Catherine the Great: love, sex and power. - 2006. Longinov M. N. Favorites of Catherine II, chronological list // Russian archive. - 1911. - No. 7. Shcherbatov M.M. Notes of Prince M.M. Shcherbatov about the damage to morals in Russia // Russian antiquity, 1870. - T. 2. - Ed. 3rd. - St. Petersburg, 1875 - S. 1-62; 1871. - T. 3. - No. 6. - S. 673-688.

Bibliography:

Kazimir Valishevsky. Romance of the Empress. Part 2. Book. 4. Chap. 3. The intimate life of Catherine. - Favoritism N. Bolotin. The youngest son of Catherine II // Science and life. No. 9, 1999 Corberon's dispatch to Count Vergenne from St. Petersburg on September 17, 1778 S. S. Montefiore. "Potemkin" V. S. Lopatin. Letters Without Which History Becomes Myth Genealogical Tree. Ancestors and descendants of Catherine II the Great (1729-1796), Empress of Russia K. Valishevsky. Novel of the Empress // Part 1. Book. 1. Chap. 3. Secondary education of Catherine Letters of Catherine II to G. A. Potemkin // Questions of history. No. 6, 1989. Letters from Empress Catherine II to c. P. V. Zavadovsky. (1775-1777) // Russian Historical Journal, No. 5. 1918 Count Petr Vasilyevich Zavadovsky // Russian portraits of the 18th and 19th centuries. Edition of the Grand Duke Nikolai Mikhailovich Romanov Minister of Education Count PV Zavadovsky Gelbig G. background. Russian chosen ones. - M., 1999. According to a letter from Zavadovsky to Field Marshal Rumyantsev. M. Yu. Lermontov in Tsarskoye Selo: Forerunner. N. S. Mordvinov V. N. Balyazin. Secrets of the Romanovs. Family unions Miklashevsky Mikhail Pavlovich Buksgevden Natalia Aleksandrovna Ekaterina II. Sex bomb of the Russian throne Frank, Eva // Encyclopedia Judaica Historical Myths: The Death of Catherine the Great

Catherine II - famous Russian empress, which was destined to become the mother of Enlightenment in the country, the mouthpiece of political and economic changes in the state. Despite the fact that Catherine the Great was adored by the people, the number of her lovers amazed both contemporaries and historians. Now it is not known exactly how many lovers Catherine II had, but rumors about her intrigues worry many scientists. So, what role did Catherine's favorites play in Russian history, and what love affairs are proven?

As you know, Catherine had her first lovers at the very beginning of her unhappy marriage to Peter III. Everyone knew that Peter III was in love with a maid of honor living in the Winter Palace, and marriage with Catherine was a burden to him. For the first few years of marriage, there was no intimate relationship between the heir to the throne and his wife, and the dismissive attitude of Peter III stimulated Catherine to have connections on the side.

Some historians are sure that even the future heir to the throne, Paul I was not the son of Peter III. According to biographers, the heir to the throne was born as a result of Catherine's relationship with Sergei Saltykov.

And yet, despite some frivolity in her personal life, the future empress always knew how to take advantage of her connections with favorites. In particular, the connection with Grigory Orlov helped Catherine the Great to overthrow Peter III from the throne and take his place. While still the wife of Peter, Catherine became pregnant from Orlov, and in order to hide this fact, the future empress had to go to considerable tricks.

In particular, on the day of childbirth, a faithful servant of Catherine Shkurin set fire to his house, and interested Peter III went to look at this amazing sight. During the absence of her husband, Catherine managed to safely give birth to a son, who received the name Alexei Bobrinsky.

This is not the only lover of the Empress who was used by this great woman to achieve power. So, for example, Catherine II used Grigory Potemkin to organize her reforms, improving the image of the Enlightenment policy among the masses.

The most famous favorites of Catherine II	Features of relations and the place of the favorite in Russian history
1. Sergey Vasilievich Saltykov	One of the first favorites of the Empress, an affair with which began in 1754. For a long time there was a misconception that Paul I was the son of Saltykov, but later historians disputed this fact. After the birth of Paul I, Sergei Saltykov was removed from the court, so as not to give rise to rumors about the illegality of the rights of the future emperor to the throne.
2. Stanislav Poniatowski	Communication with Poniatovsky began in 1756, and Grand Duchess Anna Petrovna, according to many sources, is his daughter. Despite the end of the novel in 1758, Catherine II continued to support Poniatowski, even making him the Polish king.
3. Grigory Orlov	One of the most significant favorites of the Empress. Communication with him continued from 1759 until 1772. After the death of Peter III, Catherine even thought about marrying Orlov, but the latter had countless mistresses, became an incentive to cancel this decision. In 1772, Orlov lost the title of favorite, and was soon removed from the court.
4. Potemkin Grigory Alexandrovich	Despite the fact that his relationship with Catherine lasted only three years (from 1774 to 1776), he played a very important role in domestic politics Russian Empire. After the end of relations with Catherine, he maintained friendly relations with her, holding important government posts.
5. Ivan Nikolaevich Rimsky-Korsakov	Many historians call Rimsky-Korsakov the last strong love in the life of Catherine II. Their relationship began in 1778 and was already upset in 1779 due to the activities of Prince Potemkin. It was Potemkin who orchestrated the affair between Rimsky-Korsakov and Praskovya Bruce. Finding the lovers together and unable to bear the betrayal, Catherine II removed the former favorite from the court.

Features of imperial patronage and relations with artists

It cannot be said that Catherine II entered into an intimate relationship with all her “favorites” at court. For example, the empress supported the activities of G.R. Derzhavin, as well as Mikhail Lomonosov. As an Enlightenment figure, Catherine tried to discover new artists, poets, writers, to educate new generations of artists.

Since the Empress has always shown interest in the development foreign culture, she wrote out from abroad to her prominent artists of her time: Kering and Brompton. Due to the attention of Catherine II, many politicians, historians, scientists were able to rise, but their connection with the Empress was limited to business relations.

There are also known cases in which Catherine II manifested herself as a vengeful woman, not conducive to sympathy. So, for example, Catherine immediately removed favorites that she did not like from the court, as, for example, happened with Rimsky-Korsykov. The exception was Potemkin, who managed to maintain friendship with the Empress even after the end of their relationship.

Despite a very turbulent personal life, Catherine the Great managed to maintain the image of a far-sighted and competent politician. At one time, Alexandre Dumas wrote in his book “Twenty Years Later” that only Elizabeth of England and Catherine II knew how to be both mistresses and empresses for each of their favorites.

The intimate life of Catherine the Great has long been the subject of discussion and controversy. AT this section officially confirmed and alleged men are listed, some of whom had the official status of a favorite, while others were listed only as lovers (which did not prevent them, however, from receiving generous gifts and titles from the empress).

Confirmed and official relationship

1. Romanov Peter III Fedorovich

Status: husband
Relationship start: official wedding on September 1, 1745
End of a relationship: died under unexplained circumstances 9 July 1762
Add. information: the children of Peter III - Pavel and Anna, were presumably the children of two lovers of Catherine II. Pavel Petrovich, according to the most popular theory, is the son of Sergei Saltykov, Anna Petrovna is the daughter of Stanislav Poniatovsky, who later became the Polish king. The empress accused her husband of not having a normal intimate life and justified her novels by his lack of interest in her person.

1. Saltykov Sergey Vasilievich

Status: Lover
Relationship start: spring 1752
End of a relationship: October 1754 - a few months before the birth of Paul I, he was no longer allowed to see the Empress, after his birth he was sent as an ambassador to Sweden.
Add. information: according to one version, he is the real father of Paul I. He was recommended to Catherine II by Bestuzhev, during the period of final disappointment by Empress Elizabeth in Peter III.

1. Stanislav August Poniatowski

Status: Lover
Relationship start: 1756, arrived in Russia as part of the retinue of the English ambassador
End of a relationship: when in 1758 Bestuzhev, as a result of an unsuccessful intrigue, fell into disgrace - Poniatowski was forced to leave the Russian Empire
Add. information: the probable father of Anna Petrovna, which was indirectly confirmed by Peter III himself. Subsequently, thanks to the patronage of Catherine the Great, he became the Polish king and contributed to the division of the Commonwealth.

1. Orlov Grigory Grigorievich

Status: Lover before 1762, 1762-1772 - official favorite
Relationship start: 1760
End of a relationship: in 1772 he went to negotiate with the Ottoman Empire, during this period Catherine II lost interest in relations and drew attention to Alexander Vasilchakov.
Add. information: one of the longest novels of the Empress. In 1762, Catherine the Great even planned a wedding with Orlov, but the environment considered such an undertaking too adventurous and was able to dissuade her. From Orlov, the Empress in 1762 gave birth to an illegitimate son - Alexei Grigorievich Bobrinsky. He took a direct part in the coup of 1762. One of the most intimate people of the Empress.

1. Vasilchakov Alexander Semyonovich

Status: official favorite
Relationship start: in 1772 attracted the attention of Catherine II, while Count Orlov was away.
End of a relationship: after the start of relations between the Empress and Potemkin in 1774, he was sent to Moscow.
Add. information: was 17 years younger than Catherine, could not be a serious opponent to Potemkin in the struggle for attention.

1. Potemkin-Tavrichesky Grigory Alexandrovich

Status: official favorite
Relationship start: in 1774.
End of a relationship: during his vacation in 1776, the empress turned her attention to Zavadovsky.
Add. information: one of the most prominent figures in the intimate life of Catherine II was secretly married to her since 1775. Outstanding commander and a statesman who has influence over her even after the end of intimacy. Presumably, his daughter, Tyomkina Elizaveta Grigorievna, was born to Catherine.

1. Zavadovsky Petr Vasilievich

Status: official favorite
Relationship start: in 1776.
End of a relationship: in May 1777 he was dismissed by the intrigues of Potemkin and sent on vacation.
Add. information: a capable administrative figure who loved the empress too much. Only Ekaterina allowed Zavadovsky to continue political career after the end of the relationship.

1. Zorich Semyon Gavrilovich

Status: official favorite
Relationship start: in 1777 he appeared as an adjutant to Potemkin, and then became the commander of the personal guard of the Empress.
End of a relationship: sent from St. Petersburg in 1778 after a quarrel with Potemkin
Add. information: a hussar who has no education, but enjoys the attention of Catherine, who was 14 years older than him.

1. Rimsky-Korsakov Ivan Nikolaevich

Status: official favorite
Relationship start: in 1778 he was selected by Potemkin, who was looking for a more accommodating and less gifted favorite to replace Zorich.
End of a relationship: in 1779 he was caught by the empress in a relationship with the Countess Bruce and lost favor.
Add. information: was 25 years younger than Catherine. After the countess, Bruce became interested in Stroganova and was sent from St. Petersburg to Moscow.

1. Lanskoy Alexander Dmitrievich

Status: official favorite
Relationship start: in the spring of 1780 attracted attention on the recommendation of Potemkin.
End of a relationship: in 1784 he died of a fever. different versions suggest poisoning or abuse of an aphrodisiac.
Add. information: did not interfere in political intrigues, preferring to devote time to the study of languages ​​​​and philosophy. A close intimate relationship with the Empress is confirmed by descriptions of her "broken feelings" in connection with the death of Lansky.

The topic of this article is the biography of Catherine the Great. This empress reigned from 1762 to 1796. The era of her reign was marked by the enslavement of the peasants. Also, Catherine the Great, whose biography, photos and activities are presented in this article, significantly expanded the privileges of the nobility.

Origin and childhood of Catherine

The future empress was born on May 2 (according to the new style - April 21), 1729 in Stettin. She was the daughter of the Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst, who was in the Prussian service, and Princess Johanna-Elisabeth. The future empress was related to the English, Prussian and Swedish royal houses. She received her education at home: she studied French and German languages, music, theology, geography, history, danced. Opening such a topic as the biography of Catherine the Great, we note that the independent nature of the future empress manifested itself already in childhood. She was a persistent, inquisitive child, had a penchant for mobile, lively games.

Baptism and wedding of Catherine

Catherine, together with her mother, was summoned by Empress Elizaveta Petrovna to Russia in 1744. Here she was baptized according to the Orthodox tradition. Ekaterina Alekseevna became the bride of Peter Fedorovich, the Grand Duke (in the future - Emperor Peter III). She married him in 1745.

Hobbies of the Empress

Catherine wanted to win the favor of her husband, the empress and the Russian people. Her personal life, however, was unsuccessful. Since Peter was infantile, there was no marital relationship between them for several years of marriage. Catherine was fond of reading works on jurisprudence, history and economics, as well as French enlighteners. All these books have shaped her worldview. The future empress became a supporter of the ideas of the Enlightenment. She was also interested in the traditions, customs and history of Russia.

Personal life of Catherine II

Today we know quite a lot about such an important historical person as Catherine the Great: biography, her children, personal life- all this is the object of research by historians and the interest of many of our compatriots. For the first time we get acquainted with this empress at school. However, what we learn in history lessons is far from full information about such an empress as Catherine the Great. A biography (grade 4) from a school textbook omits, for example, her personal life.

Catherine II in the early 1750s began an affair with S.V. Saltykov, Guards officer. She gave birth to a son in 1754, the future Emperor Paul I. Nevertheless, rumors that Saltykov was his father are unfounded. In the second half of the 1750s, Catherine had an affair with S. Poniatowski, a Polish diplomat who later became King Stanislaw August. Also in the early 1760s - with G.G. Orlov. The Empress gave birth to his son Alexei in 1762, who received the surname Bobrinsky. As relations with her husband deteriorated, Catherine began to fear for her fate and began to recruit supporters at court. Her sincere love for her homeland, her prudence and ostentatious piety - all this contrasted with the behavior of her husband, which allowed the future empress to gain authority among the population of St. Petersburg and the high-society metropolitan society.

Proclamation of Catherine as Empress

Catherine's relationship with her husband continued to deteriorate during the 6 months of his reign, eventually becoming hostile. Peter III openly appeared in the company of his mistress E.R. Vorontsova. There was a threat of arrest of Catherine and her possible expulsion. The future empress carefully prepared the plot. She was supported by N.I. Panin, E.R. Dashkova, K.G. Razumovsky, the Orlov brothers and others. One night, from June 27 to 28, 1762, when Peter III was in Oranienbaum, Catherine secretly arrived in St. Petersburg. She was proclaimed in the barracks of the Izmailovsky Regiment as an autocratic empress. Other regiments soon joined the rebels. The news of the empress's accession to the throne quickly spread throughout the city. Petersburgers greeted her with delight. Messengers were sent to Kronstadt and the army to prevent the actions of Peter III. He, having learned about what happened, began to send proposals for negotiations to Catherine, but she rejected them. The Empress personally came to Petersburg, heading guards regiments, and received on the way a written abdication of the throne by Peter III.

More about the palace coup

As a result palace coup On July 9, 1762, Catherine II came to power. It happened in the following way. Because of the arrest of Passek, all the conspirators rose to their feet, fearing that under torture they might be betrayed by the arrested person. It was decided to send Alexei Orlov for Ekaterina. The Empress at that time lived in anticipation of the name day of Peter III in Peterhof. On the morning of June 28, Alexei Orlov ran into her bedroom and told her about Passek's arrest. Ekaterina got into Orlov's carriage, she was brought to the Izmailovsky regiment. The soldiers ran out to the square on the drum beat and immediately swore allegiance to her. She then moved to the Semyonov regiment, which also swore allegiance to the Empress. Accompanied by a crowd of people, at the head of two regiments, Catherine went to the Kazan Cathedral. Here, at a prayer service, she was proclaimed empress. Then she went to the Winter Palace and found the Synod and the Senate there already assembled. They also swore allegiance to her.

Personality and character of Catherine II

Not only the biography of Catherine the Great is interesting, but also her personality and character, which left an imprint on her inner and foreign policy. Catherine II was a subtle psychologist and an excellent connoisseur of people. The empress skillfully chose assistants, while not being afraid of talented and bright personalities. Therefore, Catherine's time was marked by the appearance of many prominent statesmen, as well as generals, musicians, artists, and writers. Catherine was usually restrained, tactful, and patient in dealing with her subjects. She was an excellent conversationalist, she could listen carefully to anyone. By her own admission, the Empress did not possess a creative mind, but she caught worthwhile thoughts and knew how to use them for her own purposes.

There were almost no noisy resignations during the reign of this empress. The nobles were not subject to disgrace, they were not exiled or executed. Because of this, the reign of Catherine is considered the "golden age" of the nobility in Russia. The Empress, at the same time, was very vain and valued her power more than anything in the world. She was ready to make any compromises for the sake of her preservation, including to the detriment of her own convictions.

Religiosity of the Empress

This empress was distinguished by ostentatious piety. She considered herself a protector Orthodox Church and its head. Catherine skillfully used religion for political interests. Apparently, her faith was not very deep. The biography of Catherine the Great is marked by the fact that she preached religious tolerance in the spirit of the times. It was under this empress that the persecution of the Old Believers was stopped. Protestant and catholic churches and mosques. Nevertheless, the conversion to another faith from Orthodoxy was still severely punished.

Catherine - an opponent of serfdom

Catherine the Great, whose biography interests us, was an ardent opponent of serfdom. She considered him contrary to human nature and inhumane. Lots of harsh comments this issue preserved in her papers. Also in them you can find her reasoning on how serfdom can be eliminated. Nevertheless, the empress did not dare to do anything concrete in this area because of the fear of another coup and a noble rebellion. Catherine, however, was convinced that the Russian peasants are spiritually undeveloped, so there is a danger in granting them freedom. According to the empress, the life of the peasants is quite prosperous with caring landowners.

First reforms

When Catherine came to the throne, she already had a fairly definite political program. It was based on the ideas of the Enlightenment and took into account the peculiarities of Russia's development. Consistency, gradualness and consideration of public sentiment were the main principles for the implementation of this program. Catherine II in the first years of her reign reformed the Senate (in 1763). His work became more efficient as a result. The following year, in 1764, Catherine the Great carried out the secularization of church lands. The biography for the children of this empress, presented on the pages of school textbooks, surely acquaints schoolchildren with this fact. Secularization significantly replenished the treasury, and also eased the situation of many peasants. Catherine in Ukraine liquidated the hetmanship in accordance with the need to unify local government throughout the state. In addition, she invited German colonists to the Russian Empire to develop the Black Sea and Volga regions.

The foundation of educational institutions and the new Code

During these years, a number of educational institutions was founded, including for women (the first in Russia) - the Catherine School, the Smolny Institute. In 1767, the Empress announced that a special commission was being convened to create a new Code. It consisted of elected deputies, representatives of all social groups of society, except for serfs. For the commission, Catherine wrote "Instruction", which is, in fact, the liberal program of the reign of this empress. However, her calls were not understood by the deputies. On the smallest issues they argued. Deep contradictions between social groups were revealed in the course of these discussions, as well as low level many deputies political culture and the conservatism of most of them. The established commission was dissolved at the end of 1768. The empress appreciated this experience as an important lesson that introduced her to the moods of various segments of the population of the state.

Development of legislative acts

After the Russian-Turkish war ended, which lasted from 1768 to 1774, and the Pugachev uprising was suppressed, the new stage Catherine's reforms. The empress began to develop the most important legislative acts herself. In particular, a manifesto was issued in 1775, according to which it was allowed to start any industrial enterprises without restrictions. Also this year there was provincial reform, resulting in a new Administrative division empire was established. It survived until 1917.

Expanding the topic "Brief biography of Catherine the Great", we note that in 1785 the Empress issued the most important legislative acts. These were letters of grant to the cities and the nobility. A charter was also prepared for the state peasants, but political circumstances did not allow it to be put into effect. The main significance of these letters was associated with the implementation of the main goal of Catherine's reforms - the creation in the empire of full-fledged estates on the model Western Europe. The diploma meant for the Russian nobility the legal consolidation of almost all the privileges and rights that they had.

Recent and unrealized reforms proposed by Catherine the Great

Biography ( summary) of the empress of interest to us is marked by the fact that she carried out various reforms until her death. For example, education reform was continued into the 1780s. Catherine the Great, whose biography is presented in this article, created a network based on the class-lesson system school institutions in cities. The Empress in the last years of her life continued to plan major transformations. Reform central control was scheduled for 1797, as well as the introduction of legislation on the succession to the throne in the country, the creation of a higher court based on representation from the 3 estates. However, Catherine II the Great did not have time to complete the extensive reform program. Her brief biography, however, would be incomplete if we did not mention all this. In general, all these reforms were a continuation of the reforms begun by Peter I.

Catherine's foreign policy

What else is interesting about the biography of Catherine the Great? The empress, following Peter, believed that Russia should actively act on the world stage, pursue an offensive policy, even to some extent aggressive. After accession to the throne, she broke the alliance treaty with Prussia, concluded by Peter III. Thanks to the efforts of this empress, it was possible to restore Duke E.I. Biron on the throne of Courland. Supported by Prussia, in 1763 Russia achieved the election of Stanisław August Poniatowski, his protege, to the Polish throne. This, in turn, led to a deterioration in relations with Austria due to the fact that she feared the strengthening of Russia and began to incite Turkey to war with her. On the whole, the Russian-Turkish war of 1768-1774 was successful for Russia, but the difficult situation inside the country encouraged her to seek peace. And for this it was necessary to restore the old relations with Austria. In the end, a compromise was reached. Poland fell victim to it: its first division was carried out in 1772 by Russia, Austria and Prussia.

The Kyuchuk-Kaynarji peace treaty was signed with Turkey, which ensured the independence of the Crimea, which was beneficial for Russia. Empire in England's war with the colonies North America took up neutrality. Catherine refused to help the troops the English king. A number of European states joined the Declaration on Armed Neutrality, created at the initiative of Panin. This contributed to the victory of the colonists. AT later years there was a strengthening of the positions of our country in the Caucasus and in the Crimea, which ended with the inclusion of the latter into the Russian Empire in 1782, as well as the signing of next year Georgievsky treatise with Erekle II, Kartli-Kakhetian king. This ensured the presence of Russian troops in Georgia, and then the annexation of its territory to Russia.

Strengthening of authority in the international arena

The new foreign policy doctrine of the Russian government was formed in the 1770s. It was a Greek project. main goal his was the restoration of the Byzantine Empire and the announcement of the Emperor of Prince Konstantin Pavlovich, who was the grandson of Catherine II. Russia in 1779 significantly strengthened its authority in the international arena, participating as an intermediary between Prussia and Austria in the Teschen Congress. The biography of Empress Catherine the Great can also be supplemented by the fact that in 1787, accompanied by the court, Polish king, Austrian emperor and foreign diplomats traveled to the Crimea. It became a demonstration military power Russia.

Wars with Turkey and Sweden, further partitions of Poland

The biography of Catherine the Great continued by the fact that she started a new Russian-Turkish war. Russia was now acting in alliance with Austria. Almost at the same time, the war with Sweden also began (from 1788 to 1790), which tried to take revenge after the defeat in northern war. The Russian Empire managed to cope with both of these opponents. In 1791 the war with Turkey ended. The Peace of Jassy was signed in 1792. He secured the influence of Russia in Transcaucasia and Bessarabia, as well as the annexation of Crimea to it. The 2nd and 3rd Partitions of Poland took place in 1793 and 1795 respectively. They put an end to Polish statehood.

Empress Catherine the Great, short biography which was examined by us, died on November 17 (according to the old style - November 6), 1796 in St. Petersburg. So significant is her contribution to Russian history that the memory of Catherine II is kept by many works of domestic and world culture, including the works of such great writers as N.V. Gogol, A.S. Pushkin, B. Shaw, V. Pikul and others. The life of Catherine the Great, her biography inspired many directors - the creators of such films as "Caprice of Catherine II", "Royal Hunt", "Young Catherine", "Dreams of Russia", " Russian rebellion" and others.

The list of men of Catherine II includes men who figured in the intimate life of Empress Catherine the Great (1729-1796), including her spouses, official favorites and lovers. Catherine II has up to 21 lover, but how can we object to the empress, then, of course, there were methods.

1. Catherine's husband was Peter Fedorovich (Emperor Peter III) (1728-1762). They had a wedding in 1745, August 21 (September 1) The end of the relationship June 28 (July 9), 1762 - the death of Peter III. His children, according to the Romanov tree, Pavel Petrovich (1754) (according to one version, his father is Sergei Saltykov) and officially Grand Duchess Anna Petrovna (1757-1759, most likely the daughter of Stanislav Poniatovsky). He suffered, he was a type of impotence, and in the early years did not carry out marital relations with her. Then this problem was solved with the help of a surgical operation, and in order to perform it, Saltykov got Peter drunk.

2. While she was engaged, she also had an affair, Saltykov, Sergei Vasilievich (1726-1765). In 1752 he was at the small court of the Grand Dukes Catherine and Peter. The beginning of the 1752 novel. The end of the relationship was the born child Pavel in October 1754. After that, Saltykov was expelled from St. Petersburg and sent as an envoy to Sweden.

3. Catherine's lover was Stanisław August Poniatowski (1732-1798) who fell in love in 1756. And in 1758, after the fall of Chancellor Bestuzhev, Williams and Poniatowski were forced to leave St. Petersburg. After the novel, her daughter Anna Petrovna (1757-1759) was born to her, and Grand Duke Pyotr Fedorovich himself thought so, who, judging by Catherine's Notes, said: “God knows where my wife gets pregnant from; I don’t know for sure if this child is mine and if I should recognize him as mine. ”In the future, Catherine will make him King of Poland, and then annex Poland and annex it to Russia.

4. Also, Catherine 2 was not upset and continued to fall in love further. Next her secret lover was Orlov, Grigory Grigorievich (1734-1783). The beginning of the novel in the spring of 1759, Count Schwerin, the adjutant wing of Frederick II, arrived in St. Petersburg, who was captured in the Battle of Zorndorf, to which Orlov was assigned as a guard. Orlov gained fame by repulsing his mistress from Pyotr Shuvalov. The end of the relationship 1772 after the death of her husband, even she wanted to marry him and then she was dissuaded. Orlov had many mistresses. They also had a son, Bobrinsky, Alexei Grigorievich was born on April 22, 1762, a few months after the death of Elizabeth Petrovna. It is reported that on the day when she began giving birth, her faithful servant Shkurin set fire to his house, and Peter rushed off to look at the fire . Orlov and his passionate brothers contributed to the overthrow of Peter and Catherine's accession to the throne. Having lost favor, he married his cousin Ekaterina Zinovieva, and after her death he went crazy.

5. Vasilchikov, Alexander Semyonovich (1746-1803/1813) Official favorite. Acquaintance in 1772, September. Often stood guard in Tsarskoye Selo, received a golden snuffbox. I took Orlov's room. On March 20, 1774, in connection with the rise of Potemkin, he was sent to Moscow. Catherine considered him boring (14 years difference). After his resignation, he settled in Moscow with his brother and did not marry.

6. Potemkin, Grigory Alexandrovich (1739-1791) Official favorite, husband since 1775. In April 1776 he went on vacation. Catherine gave birth to Potemkin's daughter, Elizaveta Grigorievna Tyomkina. Despite the gap in his personal life, thanks to his abilities he maintained Catherine's friendship and respect and for many years remained the second person in the state. He was unmarried, his personal life consisted of the "enlightenment" of his young nieces, including Ekaterina Engelgart.

7. Zavadovsky, Pyotr Vasilyevich (1739-1812) official favorite.
The beginning of relations in 1776. November, presented to the Empress as the author, interested Catherine. In 1777, June did not suit Potemkin and was dismissed. Also in May 1777, Catherine met Zorich. He was jealous of Catherine 2, which hurt. 1777 recalled by the empress back to the capital, 1780 engaged in administrative affairs, married Vera Nikolaevna Apraksina.

8. Zorich, Semyon Gavrilovich (1743/1745-1799). In 1777, June became Catherine's personal bodyguard. 1778 June caused inconvenience, expelled from St. Petersburg (14 years younger than the Empress) Was fired and expelled with a small reward. He founded the Shklov School. Entangled in debt and was suspected of counterfeiting.

9. Rimsky-Korsakov, Ivan Nikolaevich (1754-1831) Official favorite. 1778, June. Noticed by Potemkin, who was looking for a replacement for Zorich, and distinguished by him due to his beauty, as well as ignorance and lack of serious abilities that could make him a political rival. Potemkin introduced him to the Empress in three officers. On June 1, he was appointed adjutant wing to the empress. 1779, October 10. Removed from the court, after the Empress found him in the arms of Countess Praskovya Bruce, Field Marshal Rumyantsev's sister. This intrigue of Potemkin had as its goal the removal not of Korsakov, but of Bruce herself. 25 years younger than the Empress; Catherine was attracted by his announced "innocence". He was very handsome and had an excellent voice (for the sake of it, Catherine invited world-famous musicians to Russia). After losing favor, he first stayed in St. Petersburg and talked about his connection with the empress in the living rooms, which hurt her pride. In addition, he left Bruce and began an affair with Countess Ekaterina Stroganova (he was 10 years younger than her). This turned out to be too much, and Catherine sent him to Moscow. In the end, her husband divorced Stroganova. Korsakov lived with her until the end of her life, they had a son and two daughters.

10 Stakhiev (Fears) The beginning of relations in 1778; 1779, June. The end of relations 1779, October. According to the description of contemporaries, "a jester of the lowest sort." Strakhov was a protégé of Count N.I. Panin Strakhov may be Ivan Varfolomeevich Strakhov (1750-1793), in which case he was not the Empress's lover, but a man whom Panin considered insane, and who, when Catherine once told him that he can ask her for some favor, threw himself on his knees and asked for her hand, after which she began to avoid him.

11 Stoyanov (Stanov) The beginning of relations 1778. End of relationship 1778. Potemkin's protege.

12 Rantsov (Rontsov), Ivan Romanovich (1755-1791) The beginning of relations 1779. Mentioned among those who participated in the "competition", it is not entirely clear whether he managed to visit the empress's alcove. End of relationship 1780. One of the illegitimate sons of Count R. I. Vorontsov, half-brother of Dashkova. A year later, he led the London crowd in the riots organized by Lord George Gordon.

13 Levashov, Vasily Ivanovich (1740 (?) - 1804). The beginning of relations in 1779, October. The end of the relationship 1779, October. Major of the Semyonovsky regiment, a young man patronized by Countess Bruce. He was witty and funny. The uncle of one of the subsequent favorites is Yermolov. He was not married, but had 6 "pupils" from a student of the theater school Akulina Semyonova, who were granted the dignity of nobility and his surname.

14 Vysotsky, Nikolai Petrovich (1751-1827). The beginning of relations 1780, March. Potemkin's nephew. End of relationship 1780, March.

15 Lanskoy, Alexander Dmitrievich (1758-1784) Official favorite. The beginning of relations 1780 April He was introduced to Catherine by Chief of Police P. I. Tolstoy, she drew attention to him, but he did not become a favorite. Levashev turned to Potemkin for help, he made him his adjutant and led his court education for about six months, after which in the spring of 1780 he recommended him to the empress as a cordial friend. End of relationship 1784, July 25. He died after a five-day illness with a toad and fever. 29 years younger than the 54-year-old at the time of the beginning of the relationship of the empress. The only one of the favorites who did not interfere in politics and refused influence, ranks, and orders. He shared Catherine's interest in the sciences and, under her guidance, studied French and got acquainted with philosophy. Enjoyed universal sympathy. He sincerely adored the empress and tried his best to keep peace with Potemkin. If Catherine began to flirt with someone else, Lanskoy “did not get jealous, didn’t cheat on her, didn’t dare, but so touching […] he lamented her disfavor and suffered so sincerely that he won her love again.”

16. Mordvinov. The beginning of relations in 1781. May. Lermontov's relative. Probably Mordvinov, Nikolai Semyonovich (1754-1845). The admiral's son, the same age as Grand Duke Paul, was brought up with him. The episode was not reflected in his biography, usually not mentioned. Became a famous naval commander. Lermontov's relative

17 Yermolov, Alexander Petrovich (1754-1834) February 1785, a holiday was specially arranged to introduce him to the Empress. 1786, June 28. I decided to act against Potemkin ( Crimean Khan Sahib-Giray was supposed to receive large sums from Potemkin, but they were detained, and the khan turned to Yermolov for help), in addition, the empress also lost interest in him. He was expelled from St. Petersburg - he was "allowed to go abroad for three years." In 1767, traveling along the Volga, Catherine stopped at his father's estate and took the 13-year-old boy to St. Petersburg. Potemkin took him into his retinue, and almost 20 years later he proposed a candidate as a favorite. He was tall and slender, blond, sullen, taciturn, honest and too simple. With letters of recommendation from Chancellor Count Bezborodko, he left for Germany and Italy. Everywhere he kept himself very modest. After his resignation, he settled in Moscow and married Elizaveta Mikhailovna Golitsyna, with whom he had children. Nephew of the previous favorite - Vasily Levashov. Then he left for Austria, where he bought a rich and profitable Frosdorf estate near Vienna, where he died at the age of 82.

18. Dmitriev-Mamonov, Alexander Matveevich (1758-1803) In 1786, June was introduced to the Empress after Yermolov's departure. In 1789, he fell in love with Princess Darya Fedorovna Shcherbatova, Catherine was donated. asked for forgiveness, forgiven. After the wedding, he was forced to leave St. Petersburg. Future married in Moscow. Repeatedly asked to return to St. Petersburg, but was refused. His wife gave birth to 4 children, eventually parted.

19. Miloradovich. The beginning of relations in 1789. He was among the candidates who were proposed after Dmitriev's resignation. They also included the retired second-major of the Preobrazhensky regiment of Kazarinov, Baron Mengden - all young handsome men, behind each of whom were influential courtiers (Potemkin, Bezborodko, Naryshkin, Vorontsov and Zavadovsky). End of relationship 1789.

20. Miklashevsky. The beginning of the relationship is 1787. The end is 1787. Miklashevsky was a candidate, but he did not become a favorite. According to evidence, during the trip of Catherine II in 1787 to the Crimea, some Miklashevsky was among the candidates for favorites. Perhaps it was Miklashevsky, Mikhail Pavlovich (1756-1847), who was part of Potemkin's retinue as an adjutant (the first step towards favor), but it is not clear from what year. In 1798, Mikhail Miklashevsky was appointed Little Russian governor, but was soon dismissed. In the biography, the episode with Catherine is usually not mentioned.

21. Zubov, Platon Alexandrovich (1767-1822) Official favorite. The beginning of relations in 1789, July. He was a protege of Field Marshal Prince N. I. Saltykov, the main educator of Catherine's grandchildren. End of relationship 1796, November 6th. The last favorite of Catherine. Relations were interrupted with her death. 22-year-old at the time of the beginning of relations with the 60-year-old empress. The first official favorite since the time of Potemkin, who was not his adjutant. Behind him were N. I. Saltykov and A. N. Naryshkina, and Perekusikhina also fussed for him. He enjoyed great influence, practically managed to force out Potemkin, who threatened to "come and pull out a tooth." Later participated in the assassination of Emperor Paul. Shortly before his death, he married a young, humble and poor Polish beauty and was terribly jealous of her.

Memory of Catherine II. Monuments dedicated to her.