Anna of Russia

Anna Ioannovna (In Russian: ???? ?????????) (February 7,1693 - October 28,1740) reigned as Duchess of Courland from 1711 to 1730 and as Empress of Russia from 1730 to 1740.

Ascension to the throne

Anna was the daughter of Ivan V of Russia, as well as the niece of Peter the Great. The latter married her to Frederick William, Duke of Courland in November 1710, but on the return trip from Saint Petersburg in January 1711 her husband died from surfeit. Anna continued ruling as Duchess of Courland (now western Latvia) from 1711 to 1730, with the Russian resident, Peter Bestuzhev, as her adviser. She never remarried after the death of her husband, but was reputed by her enemies to indulge in a love affair with Count Biron for many years.

Related Topics:
Ivan V of Russia - Peter the Great - Courland - 1710 - Saint Petersburg - 1711 - Latvia - Peter Bestuzhev - Count Biron

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On the death of Peter II, Emperor of Russia, the Russian Supreme Privy Council under Prince Dmitry Galitzine made Anna Empress in 1730. They had hoped that she would feel indebted to the nobles for her unexpected fortune and remain a figurehead at best, and malleable at worst. In the hope of establishing a constitutional monarchy in Russia, they convinced her to sign articles that limited her power. However, these proved a minor inconvenience to her, and soon she established herself as an autocratic ruler, using her popularity with the imperial guards and lesser nobility.

Related Topics:
Peter II - Russia - Supreme Privy Council - Dmitry Galitzine - 1730 - Constitutional monarchy

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