Catherine II

À propos de l'auteur

Catherine II, also known as Catherine the Great, was the Empress of Russia who reigned from 1762 until her death in 1796. Born in Stettin, Prussia, she came to power following a coup d'état that overthrew her husband, Peter III. Under her rule, Russia expanded its territory significantly and became recognized as one of the great powers of Europe. Catherine was a patron of the arts and education, fostering the Russian Enlightenment and establishing the Smolny Institute, the first state-financed higher education institution for women in Europe.

Catherine's reign was marked by her efforts to modernize Russia, reform the administrative structure, and promote westernization. She corresponded with many leading intellectuals of her time, including Voltaire and Diderot, and sought to implement Enlightenment ideas in her governance. Despite her many achievements, her reign also faced challenges, including peasant uprisings and conflicts with neighboring countries. Nevertheless, Catherine II remains a pivotal figure in Russian history, celebrated for her ambition, intelligence, and contributions to the cultural and political landscape of her time.