Grigory Alexandrovich Potemkin-Tavriichesky - Russian statesman, creator of the Black Sea Military Fleet and its first commander-in-chief, Field Marshal. He supervised the annexation of Tavria and Crimea to Russia, where he owned vast lands.
Known as the favorite of Catherine II and the founder of a number of cities, including modern regional centers: Yekaterinoslav (1776), Kherson (1778), Sevastopol (1783), Nikolaev (1789).
In the biography of Grigory Potemkin, there are many interesting facts related to his public service and personal life.
So, before you is a short biography of Grigory Potemkin.
Biography of Potemkin
Grigory Potemkin was born on September 13 (24), 1739 in the Smolensk village of Chizhevo.
He grew up and was brought up in the family of retired Major Alexander Vasilyevich and his wife Daria Vasilyevna. When little Grisha was barely 7 years old, his father died, as a result of which his mother was engaged in raising the boy.
At an early age, Potemkin was distinguished by a sharp mind and a thirst for knowledge. Seeing this, the mother assigned her son to the Moscow university gymnasium.
After that, Grigory became a student at Moscow University, receiving high marks in all disciplines.
For his good achievements in science, Gregory was awarded a gold medal and was presented among the 12 best students to Empress Elizabeth Petrovna. However, 5 years later, the guy was expelled from the university - officially for absenteeism, but in fact for complicity in a conspiracy.
Military service
In 1755, Grigory Potemkin was enrolled in absentia into the Horse Guards, with the possibility of continuing his studies at the university.
After 2 years, Potemkin was promoted to corporal in the Horse Guards. At that time in his biography, he was well versed in Greek and theology.
After that, Grigory continued to receive promotions, having risen to the rank of sergeant-major - assistant squadron commander.
The man took part in a palace coup, having managed to attract the attention of the future Empress Catherine 2. It is curious that soon the empress ordered to transfer Potemkin to second lieutenant, while other conspirators received only the rank of cornet.
In addition, Catherine increased the salary of Grigory Alexandrovich, and also gave him 400 serfs.
In 1769 Potemkin took part in the military campaign against Turkey. He showed himself as a brave warrior in the battle of Khotin and other cities. For his services to the Fatherland, he was awarded the Order of St. George, 3rd degree.
It is worth noting that it was Grigory Potemkin who was commissioned by the empress to annex Crimea to Russia. He managed to cope with this task, showing himself not only as a brave soldier, but also as a talented diplomat and organizer.
Reforms
Among the main achievements of Potemkin is the formation of the Black Sea Fleet. And although its construction did not always go smoothly and efficiently, in the war with the Turks, the fleet provided invaluable assistance to the Russian army.
Grigory Alexandrovich paid close attention to the form and equipment of the soldiers. He eradicated the fashion for braids, bouclie and powder. In addition, the prince ordered to make light and thin boots for the soldiers.
Potemkin changed the structure of the infantry troops, dividing them into specific parts. This increased maneuverability and improved single fire accuracy.
Simple soldiers respected Grigory Potemkin for the fact that he was a supporter of humane relations between ordinary soldiers and officers.
The troops began to receive better food and equipment. In addition, the sanitary standards for ordinary soldiers have noticeably improved.
If officers allowed themselves to use subordinates for personal purposes, then they could be sentenced to public punishment for this. As a result, it has led to increased discipline and mutual respect.
Founding cities
Over the years of his biography, Grigory Potemkin founded many cities in the southern part of Russia.
His Serene Prince formed Kherson, Nikolaev, Sevastopol and Yekaterinoslav. He strove for the improvement of cities, trying to populate them with people.
In fact, Potemkin was the ruler of the Moldavian principality. An interesting fact is that on the occupied lands he put the heads of local representatives of the nobility. With this, he managed to win over the Moldovan officials, who themselves asked Grigory Alexandrovich to manage and defend their territories.
The empress's favorite adhered to a similar policy in the future.
While other bosses tried to eradicate culture in the occupied lands, Potemkin did the opposite. He did not impose a ban on any customs, and was also more than tolerant of Jews.
Personal life
Grigory Potemkin has never been officially married. Nevertheless, for a long time he was the favorite favorite of Catherine the Great.
According to the surviving documents, in 1774 the prince secretly married the empress in one of the churches.
A number of Potemkin's biographers claim that the couple had a daughter, who was named Elizaveta Temkina. At that time, dropping the first syllable in the surname was a common practice, so Gregory's paternity is more than likely.
Nevertheless, the motherhood of Catherine 2 is in doubt, since at the time of the girl's birth she was already 45 years old.
It is curious that Potemkin is considered the only former favorite of the tsarina, who, after breaking off love relations, continued to see her often.
At the end of his career, Grigory Alexandrovich arranged his personal life in a rather defiant way. He invited his nieces to his palace, with whom he later had a close relationship.
Over time, Potemkin married the girls.
Death
Grigory Potemkin was in fairly good health and was not susceptible to any chronic diseases.
However, since the prince was often in the field, he periodically suffered from those ailments that spread in the army. One of these diseases led the field marshal to death.
In the fall of 1791, Grigory Alexandrovich contracted an intermittent fever. The patient was urgently seated in a carriage, which went from the Moldavian city of Yassy to Nikolaev.
But Potemkin did not have time to reach his destination. Feeling his imminent death, he asked to take him out to the field, since he did not want to die in the carriage.
Grigory Aleksandrovich Potemkin died on October 5 (16), 1791 at the age of 52.
The body of the field marshal was embalmed and, by order of Catherine II, was buried in the Kherson fortress. Later, by the decree of Emperor Paul, the remains of Potemkin were reburied, giving them to the earth according to the Orthodox tradition.
