Julio Litta Count (1797), statesman, chief chamberlain (1826). Date of Birth: 01.04.1763 Country: Russia

1. Early Life and Education
2. Military and Naval Career
3. Diplomatic and Political Career
4. Influence and Decline
5. Later Life and Legacy

Early Life and Education

Giulio Renato Litta was born into the noble Litta family in Milan, Italy, the son of Pompeo Litta, a general in the Austrian army. At the tender age of nine, he was enrolled in the prestigious Collegio San Clemente in Rome. Litta excelled in his studies, particularly in the humanities, rhetoric, and philosophy, demonstrating an exceptional aptitude for learning.

Military and Naval Career

In 1780, Litta joined the Order of Malta and served as commodore of a galley in the order's navy from 1782. In 1789, he entered Russian service as a captain in the General-Major class. During the Russo-Swedish War of 1788-1790, he played a pivotal role in the creation of the Russian rowing fleet in the Baltic Sea. He commanded the vanguard of Duke Charles of Nassau-Siegen's rowing flotilla and distinguished himself at the Battle of Rochensalm, earning promotion to rear-admiral.

Diplomatic and Political Career

In 1795, Litta was dispatched to Saint Petersburg to negotiate the return of income from the Ostrozh Priory to the Order of Malta, following the partition of Poland. His success in these negotiations brought him into the favor of Emperor Paul I. In 1797, Litta concluded an agreement establishing the Order of Malta in Russia, and he was appointed the order's extraordinary ambassador in Saint Petersburg. Elevated to the rank of count in the Russian Empire, Litta was also promoted to vice-admiral.

Influence and Decline

Litta's influence reached its peak under Emperor Paul I, who appointed him lieutenant (deputy) of the order and entrusted him with its affairs. Together with his brother Lorenzo (papal nuncio in Russia) and the Neapolitan ambassador, Duke Antonio de Serra-Capriola, Litta promoted Catholic influence in Russia. With the emperor's approval, he was absolved from his vow of celibacy and married Countess Ekaterina Vasilyevna Skavronskaya, niece of Prince Grigory Potemkin, entering the highest echelons of Russian society. In 1799, Litta was appointed chief of the Cavalier Guards, a corps he had initiated, but intrigue at court led to his downfall. He was dismissed from his post and exiled to his wife's estates.

Later Life and Legacy

Though recalled to Saint Petersburg later in 1799, Litta never regained his former influence. He subsequently enjoyed the favor of Emperors Alexander I and Nicholas I. In 1810, he was made imperial cupbearer and court chamberlain, and from 1810 to 1817, he served as chief of the court finance department. From 1811, he was a member of the State Council and supported the policies of Mikhail Speransky and Nikolai Mordvinov. In 1814, Litta advocated for the title "Blessed" to be bestowed upon Emperor Alexander I, instead of "Great."

Having no legitimate children, Litta bequeathed his vast fortune to his wife's granddaughter, Countess Yulia Pavlovna Samoilova. He had, however, two illegitimate children: a son who bore the surname Attil and a daughter.