Nikita Ivanovich Panin

Count Nikita Ivanovich Panin ({{lang-ru|??????? ????????? ??????}}) (September 18 1718–March 31 1783) was an influential Russian statesman and political mentor to Catherine the Great for the first eighteen years of her reign. He advocated the Northern Alliance and closer ties with Frederick the Great of Prussia. His staunch opposition to the partitions of Poland led to his being replaced by the more compliant Prince Bezborodko.

Personal qualities

Panin was one of the most learned, accomplished and courteous Russians of his day. Catherine called him her encyclopaedia. The earl of Buckinghamshire declared him to be the most amiable negotiator he had ever met. He was also of a most humane disposition and a friend of Liberal institutions. As to his honesty and kindness of heart there were never two opinions. By nature a sybarite, he took care to have the best cook in the capital, and women had for him an irresistible attraction, though he never married.

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