Grigory Potemkin is a very famous historical figure. Many people know about him from books, films and TV shows. Potemkin is a very controversial figure, but at the same time he left his mark on the history of Russia.
Biography of the future prince Tavrichesky
Grigory Alexandrovich was born on September 13, 1739 near Smolensk in the village of Chizhovo. Potemkin was from a small but noble Polish family. His ancestors served at court, and his father was a participant in the wars of Peter the Great and had the rank of retired lieutenant colonel.
Potemkin's father (a small-scale nobleman) died early, and the boy was brought up by his mother and uncle in Moscow. Grigory was educated first at Litkel's private boarding school, which was in the German settlement, and then at Moscow University. At first he was one of the best students, but then he became lazy, and he was expelled "for truancy." With an excellent memory and zeal for science, he was engaged in self-education all his life. Gregory knew French and German quite well, studied Latin, Ancient Greek and Old Church Slavonic. Potemkin was an Orthodox Christian, actively interested in theology and other church literature.
Potemkin's career and his contribution to the history of Russia
Back in 1755, young Gregory was enrolled in the Horse Guards. In 1761 he served as aide-de-camp to Prince George of Holstein, who was the uncle of Emperor Peter III.
The character of Grigory Alexandrovich was hot and very contradictory, he combined laziness, love for luxury and ostentatious gestures with incredible diligence, energy and love for the Motherland.
Potemkin took part in the coup in June 1762, for which he was promoted to second lieutenant, received the title of chamber junker and as many as 400 serfs. Thanks to his friendship with the Orlovs, Gregory was admitted to court and participated in the Synod.
In 1767 he was elected to the Legislative Commission. In 1768 Potemkin was awarded the rank of acting chamberlain. During the Russian-Turkish war, he fought with the rank of major general and distinguished himself in the most important battles at Larga, Cahul, Fokshany, Ryaba Mogila. For his valiant service Potemkin was promoted to lieutenant general and awarded the orders of St. Anna and St. George, 3rd degree.
Potemkin is a favorite
Most of all, Potemkin was remembered not even for his deeds and military exploits, but for his connection with Tsarina Catherine II. The love story of Grigory Alexandrovich and the Empress began in 1774, when he was summoned to serve at the court.
Until the end of his life, he was a favorite and one of the main advisers of Catherine II. There is a legend (not officially confirmed) that Grigory Potemkin and Catherine the Great were secretly married, and in 1775 their daughter Elizabeth was born.
Being the favorite of the tsarina, Potemkin was treated kindly in every possible way and was awarded many awards and titles. Among the numerous ranks, the most significant are: lieutenant colonel of the Preobrazhensky regiment, vice president of the Military Collegium, governor general of the Novorossiysk, Azov and Astrakhan provinces.
In the rank of commander of the regular troops of the Russian army, he took an active part in the suppression of the "Pugachev rebellion". In 1776 he was awarded the title of prince.
We must pay tribute, Potemkin did a lot of useful things for the Fatherland. It was under his leadership that cities such as Sevastopol, Dnepropetrovsk, Kherson and Nikolaev were built. He participated in the creation of the Black Sea Fleet and, on his personal initiative, in 1783 the Crimean Peninsula was annexed to Russia.
Also, Grigory Alexandrovich has established himself as a talented commander. He directed the capture of Ochakov and contributed to the career advancement of A. V. Suvorov, whom he highly valued for his military successes.
Potemkin was never officially married and had no legal heirs.
In 1791 he fell ill with a fever and died, and was buried in the city of Kherson.
