Menshikov, Aleksandr Danilovich c.1660-1729
Russian field marshal and statesman

Born of poor parents in Moscow, he entered the army, and accompanied Peter I, the Great, in his travels. He played an important part during the war with Sweden (1702-13), and at the capture of Marienburg found and introduced to the tsar the girl who became Catherine I. Menshikov lost favour towards the end of Peter's reign, but when Peter died he secured the succession of Catherine, and during her reign and that of her young successor, Peter II, he governed Russia with almost absolute authority. He was about to marry his daughter to the young tsar when the jealousy of the old nobility led to his banishment to Siberia and the confiscation of his estates.