Catherine the Great

Born

May 2, 1729

Catherine grew up in Stettin in a small principality called Anhalt-Zebst as a minor German Princess. Her father, Christian August, was a prince of this tiny dominion, but he recieved more fame for his military career.

Childhood

Mar 20, 1736

Catherine was nurtured by her governess Babette who acted as her mother. She was a bright intellegent girl who had a lot happening in her future, noticed by her mother and governess.She spent a lot of time reading philosophies that helped shaped her later on as a ruler.

Marriage to the Grand Duke

Aug 21, 1745

Catherine the Great married ino the Russian royal family, becoming a grand duchess. She and Peter proved to be andything but a happy couple.She developed her own pastimes, which included reading extensively.

Catherine's Son

Sep 20, 1754

Catherine produced a heir, Paul. He was a subject of great debate with many scholars, who belived that Paul's father was a ctually Sergei Saltyko, a Russian noble and member of the court. Catherine had litle time with her first son; Eliazbeth took over raising the child soon after his birth.

Death of Empress Elizabeth and Peter takes throne

Dec 25, 1761

Empress Elizabeth passed and Catherine recieved the title of Empress Consort when he took the throne. The two were leading spereate lives at this point in time and she had little to do with his rule.

Catherine takes throne

Jul 9, 1762

Catherine had another man in her life, Gregory Orlov, a Russian lieutenant, along with several others in order to unseat Peter. She was able to get him to step down from power, and she took power herself.

Death of Catherine the Great

Nov 17, 1796

Catherine the Great dies November 17th 1796 after ruling for 34 years.