Alexander Shuvalov
Encyclopedia
Count Aleksandr Ivanovich Shuvalov (1710–1771) was a Russia
n statesman from the Shuvalov
family. His career was dependent on and overshadowed by that of his more brilliant brother, Pyotr Ivanovich Shuvalov.
The Shuvalov brothers were two sons of a general who commanded the castle of Vyborg
and governed Arkhangelsk
during the reign of Empress Anna. They were the closest aides to Elizabeth Petrovna during the 1741 coup d'etat
that brought her to the throne. Alexander, in particular, persuaded many of his fellow imperial guards
to join Elizabeth's cause. He was rewarded for his allegiance with the rank of Chamberlain
in 1741 and the title of count
in 1746.
For many years Shuvalov presided over the Secret Chancellory, a sort of political police whose victims included his personal enemies, Field-Marshals Bestuzhev and Apraksin
. By the end of Elizabeth's reign, the Shuvalovs successfully eliminated all their political rivals and virtually monopolized state power. They also flirted with the future Peter III of Russia
, hoping to retain their positions after his eventual ascension to the throne.
Their intrigues succeeded in 1761 when Peter III assumed the throne and promoted both Shuvalovs to Field Marshal
s, although they had never taken part in any war. But their careers were undone within a year, as the throne was usurped by Peter's wife Catherine
, who detested the Shuvalovs for their pernicious influence on her husband and even accused in her memoirs Alexander Shuvalov of plotting to murder herself.
Thereupon Shuvalov retired from service and withdrew to his villages. His only daughter was the wife of Count Golovkin.
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n statesman from the Shuvalov
Shuvalov
Shuvalov is a Russian noble family which, although documented since the 16th century, rose to distinction during the reign of Empress Elizabeth and was elevated to counts on 5 September 1746.-Members of Shuvalov noble family:The notable Shuvalovs include:...
family. His career was dependent on and overshadowed by that of his more brilliant brother, Pyotr Ivanovich Shuvalov.
The Shuvalov brothers were two sons of a general who commanded the castle of Vyborg
Vyborg
Vyborg is a town in Leningrad Oblast, Russia, situated on the Karelian Isthmus near the head of the Bay of Vyborg, to the northwest of St. Petersburg and south from Russia's border with Finland, where the Saimaa Canal enters the Gulf of Finland...
and governed Arkhangelsk
Arkhangelsk
Arkhangelsk , formerly known as Archangel in English, is a city and the administrative center of Arkhangelsk Oblast, Russia. It lies on both banks of the Northern Dvina River near its exit into the White Sea in the north of European Russia. The city spreads for over along the banks of the river...
during the reign of Empress Anna. They were the closest aides to Elizabeth Petrovna during the 1741 coup d'etat
Coup d'état
A coup d'état state, literally: strike/blow of state)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another body; either...
that brought her to the throne. Alexander, in particular, persuaded many of his fellow imperial guards
Russian Imperial Guard
The Russian Imperial Guard, officially known as the Leib Guard were military units serving as personal guards of the Emperor of Russia. Peter the Great founded the first such units following the Prussian practice in the 1690s, to replace the politically-motivated Streltsy.- Organization :The final...
to join Elizabeth's cause. He was rewarded for his allegiance with the rank of Chamberlain
Chamberlain (office)
A chamberlain is an officer in charge of managing a household. In many countries there are ceremonial posts associated with the household of the sovereign....
in 1741 and the title of count
Count
A count or countess is an aristocratic nobleman in European countries. The word count came into English from the French comte, itself from Latin comes—in its accusative comitem—meaning "companion", and later "companion of the emperor, delegate of the emperor". The adjective form of the word is...
in 1746.
For many years Shuvalov presided over the Secret Chancellory, a sort of political police whose victims included his personal enemies, Field-Marshals Bestuzhev and Apraksin
Stepan Apraksin
Apraksin or Apraxin may refer to:*Fyodor Apraksin , Russian admiral*Stepan Fyodorovich Apraksin , Russian commander during the Seven Years' War*Stepan Stepanovich Apraksin , Russian commander during the Napoleonic Wars...
. By the end of Elizabeth's reign, the Shuvalovs successfully eliminated all their political rivals and virtually monopolized state power. They also flirted with the future Peter III of Russia
Peter III of Russia
Peter III was Emperor of Russia for six months in 1762. He was very pro-Prussian, which made him an unpopular leader. He was supposedly assassinated as a result of a conspiracy led by his wife, who succeeded him to the throne as Catherine II.-Early life and character:Peter was born in Kiel, in...
, hoping to retain their positions after his eventual ascension to the throne.
Their intrigues succeeded in 1761 when Peter III assumed the throne and promoted both Shuvalovs to Field Marshal
Field Marshal
Field Marshal is a military rank. Traditionally, it is the highest military rank in an army.-Etymology:The origin of the rank of field marshal dates to the early Middle Ages, originally meaning the keeper of the king's horses , from the time of the early Frankish kings.-Usage and hierarchical...
s, although they had never taken part in any war. But their careers were undone within a year, as the throne was usurped by Peter's wife Catherine
Catherine II of Russia
Catherine II, also known as Catherine the Great , Empress of Russia, was born in Stettin, Pomerania, Prussia on as Sophie Friederike Auguste von Anhalt-Zerbst-Dornburg...
, who detested the Shuvalovs for their pernicious influence on her husband and even accused in her memoirs Alexander Shuvalov of plotting to murder herself.
Thereupon Shuvalov retired from service and withdrew to his villages. His only daughter was the wife of Count Golovkin.