Ekaterina Dashkova Princess, she headed the main scientific institutions of the country - the St. Petersburg and Russian Academies of Sciences - for more than ten years. Date of Birth: 01.01.1744 Country: Russia

1. Catherine Dashkova: A Pioneer of Russian Enlightenment and Education
2. Love at First Sight
3. The Romantic Conspirator
4. The Night of the Coup
5. The Disillusionment
6. The Exile and the Journey
7. Director of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences
8. The Russian Academy
9. The Sunset Years
10. The 'Scythian Heroine'

Catherine Dashkova: A Pioneer of Russian Enlightenment and Education

Catherine Romanovna Dashkova was born into the distinguished Vorontsov family in 1744. Despite the family's financial decline, her uncle, Mikhail Illarionovich Vorontsov, provided her with an exceptional education.

Love at First Sight

In 1761, at a gathering hosted by the Vorontsovs, Catherine met Grand Duchess Catherine Alekseyevna (future Empress Catherine II). Their encounter ignited a profound admiration that would shape Dashkova's life. Dashkova became infatuated with the grand duchess and vowed to dedicate herself to her cause.

The Romantic Conspirator

Dashkova became deeply involved in the court intrigues leading up to Catherine II's ascension to the throne in 1762. She believed herself to be an integral part of the plot, despite her limited knowledge of its details.

The Night of the Coup

On the fateful night of June 28, 1762, Dashkova missed the coup because she had not been notified. Arriving late, she nonetheless made an unforgettable entrance at the Winter Palace, clad in a male uniform.

The Disillusionment

After the coup, Dashkova realized that she had been used by Catherine II and that her own role had been exaggerated. This realization led to a deep resentment that she would never fully overcome.

The Exile and the Journey

In 1769, Dashkova embarked on an educational journey to Europe under the pseudonym "Madame Mikhalkova." Her remarkable intelligence and charm impressed scholars and intellectuals alike.

Director of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences

Upon her return to Russia, Dashkova was appointed Director of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences. She oversaw the construction of the Academy's new building and played an instrumental role in its operation.

The Russian Academy

In 1783, Dashkova founded the Russian Academy to foster the study of Russian language and literature. She dedicated herself to compiling the first Russian dictionary and grammar.

The Sunset Years

Dashkova's relationship with Catherine II deteriorated, and she eventually resigned her post. After Catherine II's death, her son, Paul I, banished Dashkova to remote villages for her role in the 1762 coup. In her twilight years, she settled in her estate near Moscow, where she penned her memoirs.

The 'Scythian Heroine'

Catherine Dashkova, known as the "Scythian Heroine," was a complex and formidable figure. Her intelligence, ambition, and unyielding spirit made her a pioneer of Russian Enlightenment and a pivotal figure in the country's cultural and academic development.