Elizabeth of Russia
Empress of Russia who oversaw a cultural renaissance and resisted Prussian expansion
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Elizabeth Petrovna, known in Russian as Elizaveta Petrovna, ruled as Empress of Russia from 1741 until her death in 1762. Born on 29 December 1709 (Old Style 18 December) and passing on 5 January 1762 (Old Style 25 December 1761), she is remembered as a popular monarch. Her reputation rests on three pillars: she oversaw extensive construction projects, she firmly resisted Prussian policies, and she is often noted for her relatively lenient approach to governance, though executions did occur under her reign. She was not the final ruler from the direct male line of the Romanov dynasty; that line had ended with the death of Peter II in 1730. After her, the throne passed to her nephew, founding the House of Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov.
Elizabeth was the youngest surviving daughter of Peter the Great and his second wife, Catherine I, with only two of their daughters surviving to adulthood. Following the death of her half-brother Alexei in 1718, the succession became chaotic. The crown went first to her mother, Catherine I, then to her nephew Peter II, and after his death in 1730, to her first cousin Anna. After Anna’s infant great-nephew Ivan VI held the throne briefly, Elizabeth seized power with backing from the military and named her nephew, the future Peter III, as her successor.
Her reign continued her father’s policies and marked a notable Age of Enlightenment in Russia. Domestically, she strengthened the nobility’s control over local government while reducing their required state service. She supported Mikhail Lomonosov in founding the University of Moscow, the country’s top educational institution. Her court became one of Europe’s most magnificent, especially in architecture: she improved Russia’s roads, backed Ivan Shuvalov’s establishment of the Imperial Academy of Arts, and funded grand Baroque works by her favorite architect, Bartolomeo Rastrelli, notably at Peterhof Palace. The Winter Palace and Smolny Cathedral in Saint Petersburg stand as key monuments from her era.
Elizabeth reigned during two major European wars: the War of Austrian Succession (1740–1748) and the Seven Years’ War (1756–1763). With diplomat Aleksey Bestuzhev-Ryumin, she resolved the first by allying with Austria and France, though this indirectly sparked the second. Russian forces won several victories against Prussia and briefly captured Berlin. Just as Frederick the Great was ab
- born
- 29 December 1709 (O.S. 18 December 1709)
- died
- 5 January 1762 (O.S. 25 December 1761)
- field
- Monarchy
- nationality
- Russian
- known_for
- Construction projects; opposition to Prussian policies; reigning during the War of Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War
Lore & Background
Marriage plans for Elizabeth were difficult due to her mother's low birth and her own post-facto legitimization. She was betrothed in 1724 to Charles Augustus of Holstein-Gottorp, but he died in 1727 before the wedding could take place. That same year, she lost both her mother and her fiancé. Her nephew Peter II then ascended the throne, followed by her cousin Anna. Elizabeth eventually seized power in 1741 with military backing. During her reign, she continued her father's policies, encouraged the foundation of the University of Moscow and the Imperial Academy of Arts, and financed Baroque projects by architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli, including the Winter Palace and Smolny Cathedral. Though she was not illiterate—she could read and write in Russian, albeit with difficulty—her education was limited, and she relied heavily on advisors for statecraft.
Reader's Guide
Elizabeth's reign is significant for its domestic and foreign achievements. Domestically, she allowed nobles to gain dominance in local government while shortening their service terms, and she supported educational and cultural institutions that marked an Age of Enlightenment in Russia. Her court became one of the most splendid in Europe, with extensive architectural projects. Internationally, she led Russia through the War of Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War, forming an alliance with Austria and France. Russian troops briefly occupied Berlin, and Frederick the Great was considering surrender when Elizabeth died in January 1762. Her decision not to execute a single person during her reign contributed to her lasting popularity. She was the last agnatic member of the House of Romanov to rule, as her nephew Peter III founded the Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov line.
Did You Know?
- Elizabeth did not execute a single person during her entire reign.
- She was illiterate until her early twenties and could not write.
- Her fiancé, Charles Augustus of Holstein-Gottorp, died in 1727 before their wedding.
- Russian troops under Elizabeth briefly occupied Berlin during the Seven Years' War.
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