Elizabeth Petrovna 1709-62
Empress of Russia

Born in Kolomenskaye, near Moscow, the daughter of Peter I, the Great, and Catherine I, she was passed over for the succession in 1727, 1730 and 1740, finally becoming empress on the deposition of Ivan VI in 1741. Attractive and vivacious, she enjoyed food, clothes, parties and guards officers. A war with Sweden (1741-43) was brought to a successful conclusion, but her animosity towards Frederick II, the Great (1712-86) led her to take part in the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-48) and the Seven Years War (1756-63), which helped to establish Russia as a European power. At home, she contributed considerably to the extension and entrenchment of serfdom. She founded Russia's first university (in Moscow) and built the Winter Palace (now the Hermitage Art Gallery) in St Petersburg. She was succeeded by her nephew, Peter III.

Bibliography: R N Bain, The Daughter of Peter the Great (1899)