Presidential Library’s rarities cast light on the famous and unknown Grigory Potyomkin

“If anyone wants to portray Potyomkin accurately, he may be presented as the genuine emblem of the Russian Empire...” – reads the book “Life, characteristics, military and political deeds of the general field marshal Prince Potyomkin of Taurida” (1805) by G. M. Yatsenkov and A. F. Smirdin.

Grigory Alexandrovich Potyomkin, the future chancellor and general field marshal, was born on September 24 (September 13 according to the old style) 1739 in the village Chizhovo, Smolensk Governorate. To mark the 279th anniversary of his birth the Presidential Library is unveiling book rarities and rare materials of 19th c., which cast light on the life and activities of a person, who made a significant contribution to the development of the Russian Empire and consolidation of the position of our state in the world.

According to Alexander  Brückner, the author of the book “Potyomkin” (1891), the prince called himself enfant gâté de Dieu, what may be translated as “beloved  by God” or “the darling of fortune”.

This book gives an insight into the youth of Grigory Alexandrovich: he got a good home education, studied in the gymnasium at the Moscow university, was a brilliant student in the beginning, but later for some reason lost interest in studies and was expelled.

After that, Potyomkin devoted himself to military service. And, being a guardsman, during the palace revolution in 1762, he attracted the attention of the new young Empress Catherine the Great.

There are several versions of the way they met. For example, the article “Prince Grigory Alexandrovich Potyomkin of Taurida”  from Russkaya Starina (Russian Antiquity) magazine 1875 reads, that the young guardsman gave Catherine II a lanyard (a cord or strap) of his sword and later became her most famous favorite and perhaps even the most powerful person in the country.

Soon after the coup Potyomkin was appointed the vice-president of the Military Collegium, count and chief of irregular troops. He distinguished himself in the Russo-Turkish Wars of 1768-1774 and 1787-1791. A more detailed account of those events is given in the book "Life of Prince Grigory Alexandrovich Potyomkin of Taurida" of 1808, which is available in the Electronic Reading Room of the Presidential Library.

In 1776 Potyomkin was appointed the governor of Novorossiya (New Russia), Azov and Astrakhan. The exploration and settlement of these lands and Crimea can be credited to him. The book rarity entitled “Potyomkin and the settlement of Novorossiya land” casts light on the undertakings of the prince in a new field.

Undoubtedly, it is more interesting to read the lines written by the statesman himself. On the portal of the Presidential Library there is a collection "Papers of Prince Grigory Alexandrovich Potyomkin of Taurida”, which features hundreds of his reports and orders addressed to Catherine II, various dignitaries and generals of the empire.

In particular, the papers which span the period between 1788 and 1789 prove that the favorite and Catherine the Great had warm relations. On December 26, 1789 Potyomkin wrote that her Imperial Majesty ordered to name Ekaterinoslav Regiment, he was in charge of, after him.

In the report of November 22, 1789 Potyomkin shared his problems with the Empress: "I can hardly describe to your Imperial Majesty the countless difficulties in putting everything in order. Concerns are too much for me. "

The collection of papers of the prince from 1790 reads that Potemkin called for fairer career progression for his military colleagues.

It is worth noting that most of these numerous orders and reports are very specific and thorough, which lead to the conclusion that Potyomkin was a very industrious man, who studied everything in detail, and as a result his decisions and activities proved to be useful to the country in the future.

Papers of the prince also refer to his great contemporaries. Thus, on October 6, 1789, when Suvorov defeated the Turks at Rymnik, Potyomkin wrote to Catherine II that Suvorov's skill and courage contributed to the victory. On October 28, 1789 he wrote to Suvorov: "Your Excellency, be certain about the greatest respect and genuine devotion to you."

In the above-mentioned work “Life, characteristics, military and political deeds of the general field marshal Prince Potyomkin of Taurida” G. M. Yatsenkov and A. F. Smirdin give, perhaps, the most vivid portrayal of the prince, which features his merits along with known shortcomings: "He was not tired of his work; everything was exceptional in him: work, leisure, character and life; he always appeared to be cheerful and calm in any company and his presence pleased everyone. He treated politely all those who were asking him a favor, and was friendly towards those, whom he had had already helped, he always remembered his promises and never forgot them. One day he could think about nothing but war and was surrounded only by officers, Tatars and Cossacks, and sometimes he was engaged in the court life, dressed smartly, put on military decorations of all states, countless diamonds of great size and whiteness, and looking magnificently he held wonderful festivities ... ".