Menshikov is brief biography

Latest news biography Alexander Menshikov - close and favorite of Emperor Peter I, a prince who showed himself in state activities and as a brave commander. Later, Alexander Pushkin gave the warlord a wonderful characteristic, calling the “happiness of the pamper mediocre, semi -sovereign lord”. The brightest prince managed to live a bright rich life, more than once risk and remain in Russian history among the most famous figures.

Childhood and youth biography of Alexander Danilovich are full of interesting facts, conflicts and vicissitudes, but little is known about his origin. The boy was born on November 16 in Moscow. About how his childhood was, one can guess, based on the assumptions of researchers. Some tend to believe that the father of the future prince served as a groom, others are of the opinion that he earned a living as a bakery.

According to legend, a teenager Menshikov sold pies on Moscow streets, but Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin refuted this, indicating in the drafts to the “history of Peter” that the boyars came up with a story as a mockery. The low origin of the royal favorite was pointed out by the fact that he was illiterate. He was served by clerks and secretaries who made up papers.

One way or another, the young Alexander fell into the service of Frances Lefort. The general took him under guardianship. Menshikov’s career developed quickly. He aroused confidence among government officials, and most importantly, with Peter I. Having become a support and friend of the king, Alexander was enrolled in the amusing troops, by the age of 20 he became the scorer of the Preobrazhensky regiment, and soon received the rank of valet under the sovereign.

In his youth, Menshikov performed the instructions of the emperor, who in letters called the “my dear friend of Alexash”, which caused the discontent of the boyars. He was entrusted with accompanying the young sovereign on the first foreign trip. The young man adopted knowledge from the workers of the Dutch shipyards. Together with Peter Alekseevich, he began to dress in a European manner, bringing fashion for wigs to the capital, participated in military campaigns and helped in state endeavors.

Military service Alexander Danilovich participated in the Azov campaigns, contributed to the suppression of the Streltsky uprising of the year, which strengthened his confidence. In the year, the Northern War began, in which Menshikov proved himself a brave warrior. He was at the advanced as the commander of the cavalry and infantry, led the seizure of fortresses, including Nienshants, for which he was dedicated to the rank of major general.

The sovereign appreciated the merits of the subject, who fought with the Swedish troops in Lithuania in M, for which he received the title of the Serene Prince of the Roman Empire. The battle of Poltava again brought to Prince Lavra. The favorite of the king showed courage after the betrayal of Hetman Mazepa, leading the attacks of the avant -garde and the left flank of the offensive.

The merit of the commander was the defeat of the squad of Shlippenbach and Roos corps. The troops of Charles XII with shame were expelled. But Menshikov overtook them and forced them to give up. Being in the hottest points of the battles, he repeatedly confirmed the loyalty to the king and homeland. The victory near Poltava brought him the title of Field Marshal and the large land possessions granted as a reward.

43 thousand were added to Alexander Danilovich's estates. He was the only nobleman with such a number of subjects, only Peter I had more. Menshikov continued the military activities of up to a year, being the leader of the troops in Courland, Poland, Pomerania and Holstein. In M he returned to St. Petersburg, having ranks, possessions and high status in the state. Alexander Danilovich managed to move along the career ladder thanks to military exploits and reasonable administrative decisions.

In the year, he was listed as the commandant of notetburgh, and already with Go received the appointment to the post of governor of St. Petersburg. The Velmozha managed the construction of the new capital, organizing the shipyard, erecting Kronlt, Kronstadt and his own residences. Menshikov’s palace was one of the first buildings in the city and was a luxury. And in Oranienbaum he had a country house.

By that time, the prince was also the governor of Karelia, Estland and Ingermanland. Alexander Danilovich could not be convicted of an idle attitude to obligations. From a year, the emperor and the yard moved to St. Petersburg. Now there was a diplomatic department and the Senate. With Go in the care of the prince was the Kronstadt ship squadron. He was in charge of deeds decided in the Admiralty, and even sometimes participated in sea campaigns.

One of them was the way to Revel and Cape Gangut on the Friedrichstadt ship. Peter I led the teachings, and his favorite acted as the enemy. In the year, Menshikov was awarded the title of Vice Admiral. As a person having power, Alexander Danilovich did not feel a measure well. Therefore, becoming a manager, he did not consider indiscreet to use state money.

The embezzlement was convicted of what was reported to the emperor. Contrary to the law, Menshikov did not betray execution and did not send to hard labor. Earlier, after the death of Franz Lefort, Peter talked about confidence in the Favorite: "I have one hand left, thieving, and faithful."Having covered the atrocities with the merits of the attorney, Peter Alekseevich preferred to use him in the future and pardoned him, subtracting the amount of loss from the condition of the prince.

One of them was the son of Peter, Alexei, enclosed in the Peter and Paul Fortress. The brightest prince personally participated in the torture of the young man and advocated for his execution in the year. The help of the close in such a delicate matter, Peter I incredibly appreciated, in particular, made the favorite the first president of the State Military College that opened in a year.

In addition, Menshikov managed to keep the emperor’s mercy through a direct part in solving the family’s family affairs. Alexander Danilovich contributed to the rid of the first wife of the king, Evdokia, and building relations with Marta Skavronskaya, subsequently known as Catherine I. In the year, Menshikov again fell out of disgrace for illegal actions in the management of Kronlit and robberies.

Peter I deprived the commander of several estates, tobacco, Pskov governorship and imposed a fine. Before the death of the king, the close again guilty, for which he was deprived of the governor's post, occupied for 22 years. Menshikov was in controversial relations with Catherine I. Helping in the palace coup after the death of Peter Alekseevich, he was awarded the position of the ruler, but she was afraid of the prince, knowing that he was capable of any atrocity.

Nevertheless, his power was unlimited. In the year, he became the head of the Supreme Privy Council and had the right to adopt laws without the consent of the empress. Menshikov decided to reinforce his position, giving his daughter to marry Peter II. At that time, the prince had the rank of admiral and Generalissimus. Personal life the personal life of the military leader is still interesting for biographers.

Some sources indicate that before marriage with Daria Mikhailovna Arsenyeva, the daughter of the Yakut governor and stolnik, Menshikov was in a love affair with Marta Skavronskaya, but lost her concerned beauty Peter Alekseevich. The marriage of Alexander Danilovich with Daria was happy. The girl from a young age was at court and was on a friendly relationship with her sister Peter Alekseevich Natalia.

Menshikov’s sisters also included the close circles. The acquaintance of the future spouses took place when Alexander was 25 years old, and Arsenyeva - young people supported the fact that the young people supported, which were initially dry. Menshikov’s magnificent wedding took place on August 18. They celebrated it in Kyiv in the presence of Peter I. In the midst of hostilities, the spouses were extremely rare.

In the year, Daria Menshikova gave birth to her first child. Being on demolition, she was so worried about her husband that she went to him. The child was born on the road, in Belgorod, where Menshikov was at that time. The life of Alexander Danilovich was full of his wife’s love and care. In total, the couple had three children - a son and 2 daughters.

Of the descendants of the royal favorite, Alexander Sergeyevich Menshikov, who participated in the Crimean war of the middle of the 19th century, was most famous. Death organizing the betrothal of his daughter and Peter II, the prince enlisted the support of some courts. A serious illness prevented the plans, which for a while knocking out a man from the life of the court.

During this period, the commander managed to be exposed to the young emperor, and by the time of returning, Alexander Danilovich was in disgrace. He was arrested, ranks, ranks and awards were taken away, and the property was confiscated. Menshikova and his family were sent to the Ranenburg estate on the way the wife of Alexander Danilovich died, and then to the town called birch near Tobolsk.

There, a military leader, along with faithful servants, built a house and church. In the year, Siberia was covered by an epidemic of smallpox, which caused the death of the servant of the sovereign. He died on November 23 at the age of 56. The prince was buried in the church, which he himself elevated. The memory of the grave of the statesman has not been preserved to this day, but after death, the memory of Alexander Danilovich remained in various objects of culture and art.

Later portraits of nobles are stored in museum meetings. There are even some detailed descriptions, for example, certificates of Menshikov’s growth in 2 arshins and 12 peaks, see the name of Alexander Danilovich, the tower originally built in honor of the Archangel Gabriel, and in St. Petersburg in M-avenue. In different parts of Russia, the monuments and busts of the associate of Peter I later appeared.

The image of the prince was immortalized on the canvas Vasily Surikov.