Alexander Buturlin
Encyclopedia
Count Alexander Borisovich Buturlin (Russian
, in full: граф Александр Борисович Бутурлин; 1694–1767) was a Russia
n general and courtier whose career was much furthered by his good looks and personal affection of Empress Elizabeth.
Buturlin came from the most senior Ratshid family, whose members had been prominent as boyar
s and voevods since the 12th century. His father, who served as the Captain of the Leub Guard, sent him to the newly-established naval academy, where Alexander studied navigation
, fencing
, and foreign languages for four years. He graduated from the academy in 1720 and was employed by Peter the Great
as his orderly and confidant, especially on several secretive missions during the Persian Expedition
.
In due time he was promoted Chamberlain
and attached to the "junior court" of Tsesarevna Elizaveta Petrovna. The young officer impressed the princess so much that she was said to cherish an affection for him until her very end. It was widely rumoured that Elizabeth lost her virginity with him. Peter II of Russia
, apparently jealous of Buturlin's influence on his beloved aunt, sent him away to Little Russia
.
During the following reign Buturlin's career slowly gathered momentum, as he operated against the Turks under Munnich
and governed Smolensk
in 1735. Upon Elizabeth's ascension to the throne in 1741, his fortunes soared and he was sent to defend imperial interests in Lesser Russia. He then governed Livonia
for a short time and commanded an army stationed in Moscow
. In 1756 he was promoted Field Marshal
, and four years later he was granted the hereditary title of count
.
The Seven Years' War
was then escalating as the Russian forces approached Berlin
. At the crucial moment Buturlin was unexpectedly appointed the commander-in-chief of the Russian army operating in Prussia
. They say that Russian officers long refused to believe the news of his appointment, knowing Buturlin for a heavy drunkard. "His good looks are his only merit", a contemporary foreign diplomat commented on the issue.
The campaign of 1760 justified uneasy apprehensions, as Buturlin's cautiousness often degenerated into timidity and the atmosphere was spoiled by his jealousy towards a more illustrious colleague, Laudon. The war over, he was recalled by Peter III
to Moscow and given the task of preparing his coronation festivities. Buturlin died on 30 August 1767 and was interred in the Alexander Nevsky Monastery.
Russian language
Russian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
, in full: граф Александр Борисович Бутурлин; 1694–1767) was a Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n general and courtier whose career was much furthered by his good looks and personal affection of Empress Elizabeth.
Buturlin came from the most senior Ratshid family, whose members had been prominent as boyar
Boyar
A boyar, or bolyar , was a member of the highest rank of the feudal Moscovian, Kievan Rus'ian, Bulgarian, Wallachian, and Moldavian aristocracies, second only to the ruling princes , from the 10th century through the 17th century....
s and voevods since the 12th century. His father, who served as the Captain of the Leub Guard, sent him to the newly-established naval academy, where Alexander studied navigation
Navigation
Navigation is the process of monitoring and controlling the movement of a craft or vehicle from one place to another. It is also the term of art used for the specialized knowledge used by navigators to perform navigation tasks...
, fencing
Fencing
Fencing, which is also known as modern fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing, is a family of combat sports using bladed weapons.Fencing is one of four sports which have been featured at every one of the modern Olympic Games...
, and foreign languages for four years. He graduated from the academy in 1720 and was employed by Peter the Great
Peter I of Russia
Peter the Great, Peter I or Pyotr Alexeyevich Romanov Dates indicated by the letters "O.S." are Old Style. All other dates in this article are New Style. ruled the Tsardom of Russia and later the Russian Empire from until his death, jointly ruling before 1696 with his half-brother, Ivan V...
as his orderly and confidant, especially on several secretive missions during the Persian Expedition
Persian Expedition
-Expeditions:* A 1699 expedition commanded by Stenka Razin* A 1722 expedition commanded by Peter the Great* The Persian Expedition of 1796, commanded by Catherine the Great-Other meanings:...
.
In due time he was promoted Chamberlain
Chamberlain (office)
A chamberlain is an officer in charge of managing a household. In many countries there are ceremonial posts associated with the household of the sovereign....
and attached to the "junior court" of Tsesarevna Elizaveta Petrovna. The young officer impressed the princess so much that she was said to cherish an affection for him until her very end. It was widely rumoured that Elizabeth lost her virginity with him. Peter II of Russia
Peter II of Russia
Pyotr II Alekseyevich was Emperor of Russia from 1727 until his death. He was the only son of Tsarevich Alexei Petrovich, son of Peter I of Russia by his first wife Eudoxia Lopukhina, and Princess Charlotte, daughter of Duke Louis Rudolph of Brunswick-Lüneburg and sister-in-law of Charles VI,...
, apparently jealous of Buturlin's influence on his beloved aunt, sent him away to Little Russia
Little Russia
Little Russia , sometimes Little or Lesser Rus’ , is a historical political and geographical term in the Russian language referring to most of the territory of modern-day Ukraine before the 20th century. It is similar to the Polish term Małopolska of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth...
.
During the following reign Buturlin's career slowly gathered momentum, as he operated against the Turks under Munnich
Münnich
Münnich is a German surname of:* Count , né Anton Günther , Oldenbourgian head-revee...
and governed Smolensk
Smolensk
Smolensk is a city and the administrative center of Smolensk Oblast, Russia, located on the Dnieper River. Situated west-southwest of Moscow, this walled city was destroyed several times throughout its long history since it was on the invasion routes of both Napoleon and Hitler. Today, Smolensk...
in 1735. Upon Elizabeth's ascension to the throne in 1741, his fortunes soared and he was sent to defend imperial interests in Lesser Russia. He then governed Livonia
Livonia
Livonia is a historic region along the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea. It was once the land of the Finnic Livonians inhabiting the principal ancient Livonian County Metsepole with its center at Turaida...
for a short time and commanded an army stationed in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
. In 1756 he was promoted Field Marshal
Field Marshal
Field Marshal is a military rank. Traditionally, it is the highest military rank in an army.-Etymology:The origin of the rank of field marshal dates to the early Middle Ages, originally meaning the keeper of the king's horses , from the time of the early Frankish kings.-Usage and hierarchical...
, and four years later he was granted the hereditary title of count
Count
A count or countess is an aristocratic nobleman in European countries. The word count came into English from the French comte, itself from Latin comes—in its accusative comitem—meaning "companion", and later "companion of the emperor, delegate of the emperor". The adjective form of the word is...
.
The Seven Years' War
Seven Years' War
The Seven Years' War was a global military war between 1756 and 1763, involving most of the great powers of the time and affecting Europe, North America, Central America, the West African coast, India, and the Philippines...
was then escalating as the Russian forces approached Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
. At the crucial moment Buturlin was unexpectedly appointed the commander-in-chief of the Russian army operating in Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
. They say that Russian officers long refused to believe the news of his appointment, knowing Buturlin for a heavy drunkard. "His good looks are his only merit", a contemporary foreign diplomat commented on the issue.
The campaign of 1760 justified uneasy apprehensions, as Buturlin's cautiousness often degenerated into timidity and the atmosphere was spoiled by his jealousy towards a more illustrious colleague, Laudon. The war over, he was recalled by Peter III
Peter III of Russia
Peter III was Emperor of Russia for six months in 1762. He was very pro-Prussian, which made him an unpopular leader. He was supposedly assassinated as a result of a conspiracy led by his wife, who succeeded him to the throne as Catherine II.-Early life and character:Peter was born in Kiel, in...
to Moscow and given the task of preparing his coronation festivities. Buturlin died on 30 August 1767 and was interred in the Alexander Nevsky Monastery.