Catherine The Great

Catherine the Great ruled Russia for more than three decades and became one of the country’s most powerful and influential monarchs. But behind the grand palaces and political power was a woman who reinvented herself, embraced the Enlightenment, and became an unlikely ruler of a vast empire.

• Not Actually Russian – Catherine was born Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst in 1729 in what is now Germany. She moved to Russia as a teenager and eventually adopted Russian language, culture, and the Orthodox faith.
• A Teenage Bride – Catherine married the future Emperor Peter III when she was only 16. Their marriage was deeply unhappy, and Catherine eventually became the driving force behind his removal from power.
• She Seized Power – In 1762, Catherine took control of Russia after a coup against her husband. Peter III was forced to abdicate and died shortly afterward under mysterious circumstances.
• An Enlightenment Queen – Catherine corresponded with famous European thinkers, including Voltaire and Denis Diderot. She wanted Russia to appear as a modern, enlightened European power—even while ruling as an absolute monarch.
• A Huge Empire – During Catherine’s reign, Russia expanded dramatically. Her armies and diplomats helped extend Russian influence into territories around the Black Sea and Eastern Europe.
• She Loved Books – Catherine was an enthusiastic reader and collected thousands of books. She even purchased Diderot’s personal library and allowed him to keep the books while he was alive.
• A Famous Collection – Catherine played a major role in building the collection that became the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. What began partly as her private art collection eventually became one of the world's great museums.
• A Bold Correspondent – Catherine wrote extensively about politics, philosophy, education, and government. She even attempted to create a new legal code based on Enlightenment ideas, although many of her reforms were never fully realized.
• The Horse Rumor – One of the strangest stories about Catherine claims that she died while attempting to have sex with a horse. It is completely false and was part of a malicious rumor campaign spread after her death.
• A Lasting Legacy – Catherine died in 1796 after ruling Russia for 34 years. She left behind a stronger and larger empire and remains one of the most famous female rulers in European history.