50 Women who Changed the World
12. Catherine the Great 1729-1796
One of the greatest political leaders of the eighteenth century. Catherine the great was said to have played an important role in improving the lot of the Russian serfs. She placed great emphasis on the arts and helped to cement Russia as one of the dominant countries in Europe. Biography of Catherine the Great
http://www.biographyonline.net/people/women-who-changed-world.html
Catherine the Great Facts:
Dates: April 21, 1729 - November 17, 1796
Known for: Empress of Russia (June 28, 1762 - November 17, 1796). She's known in history as Catherine the Great -- modeled after Peter the Great -- though she eschewed the title in her lifetime.
Catherine the Great Biography:
Born a princess in Germany, Catherine the Great converted to Orthodoxy and was married to the heir to the Russian throne, the Grand Duke Peter of Holstein, grandson of Peter the Great. Though Catherine the Great had the support of Peter's mother, the Empress Elizabeth, she disliked her husband and helped engineer his removal from the throne. She took power as Tsarina or Queen, calling herself Catherine II. Soon after, she may have been behind Peter's death.
During her reign, Catherine the Great expanded Russia's borders to the Black Sea and into central Europe. She promoted westernization and modernization though within the context of her autocratic control over Russia and increasing the control of landed gentry over serfs. Catherine the Great promoted education and the Enlightenment among the elite. She kept up a correspondence with many figures of the Enlightenment in Europe.
Catherine the Great is often remembered for her many lovers. She came to the throne with her lover Count Gregory Orlov's active support; while remaining committed to him she also took many other lovers.
http://womenshistory.about.com/od/catherinegreat/p/catherinegreat.htm
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