Serge Saltykov
Encyclopedia
Count Sergei Vasilievich Saltykov (c. 1726 – 1765) was a Russia
n officer (chamberlain
) who became the first lover of Empress Catherine the Great after her arrival to Russia.
In her memoirs, Tsaritsa
Catherine spread rumours that he was the actual father of her son Paul I of Russia
. It was reported that Paul is "almost certainly the child of her lover." Most historians, however, believe that her insinuations were motivated by personal animosity towards Paul and desire to hurt him. Actually, Paul greatly resembled his official father Peter III of Russia
in character and appearance. There was very little in common between the pugnacious, stocky Paul and tall, handsome Sergei Saltykov.
Sergei was the son of nobleman Vasili Feodorovich Saltykov (1675 - April 27, 1751). Vasili Feodorovich Saltykov was not a count although a lot of publications have decided to make him one; his wife, whom he married in 1724, was the Princess Maria Alexeievna Galitzina (January 1, 1701 - October 14, 1752), daughter of Prince Alexei Borisovich Galitzine
. Prince Galitzine (February 4, 1671 - March 4, 1713) served as a Steward
and a Colonel
. Galitzine's wife, whom married in January 1684, was Anna Ivanovna Sukina (February 8, 1672 - October 7, 1738). The Saltykovs were an ancient Boyar
family, and rivalled the Romanovs in nobility. They descended from a sister of the first Romanov tsar, as well as from several Rurikid branches through female lines. For example, Tsarina Praskovia, the mother of Empress Anna, came from this clan, although her branch was only distantly related to the grandfather of Sergei.
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 officer (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....
) who became the first lover of Empress Catherine the Great after her arrival to Russia.
In her memoirs, Tsaritsa
Tsaritsa
Tsaritsa , formerly spelled czaritsa , is the title of a female autocratic ruler of Bulgaria or Russia, or the title of a tsar's wife....
Catherine spread rumours that he was the actual father of her son Paul I of Russia
Paul I of Russia
Paul I was the Emperor of Russia between 1796 and 1801. He also was the 72nd Prince and Grand Master of the Order of Malta .-Childhood:...
. It was reported that Paul is "almost certainly the child of her lover." Most historians, however, believe that her insinuations were motivated by personal animosity towards Paul and desire to hurt him. Actually, Paul greatly resembled his official father Peter III of Russia
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...
in character and appearance. There was very little in common between the pugnacious, stocky Paul and tall, handsome Sergei Saltykov.
Sergei was the son of nobleman Vasili Feodorovich Saltykov (1675 - April 27, 1751). Vasili Feodorovich Saltykov was not a count although a lot of publications have decided to make him one; his wife, whom he married in 1724, was the Princess Maria Alexeievna Galitzina (January 1, 1701 - October 14, 1752), daughter of Prince Alexei Borisovich Galitzine
Galitzine
For Orthodox clergyman and theologian, see Alexander Golitzin.The Galitzines are one of the largest and noblest princely houses of Russia. Since the extinction of the Korecki family in the 17th century, the Golitsyns have claimed dynastic seniority in the House of Gediminas...
. Prince Galitzine (February 4, 1671 - March 4, 1713) served as a Steward
Steward (office)
A steward is an official who is appointed by the legal ruling monarch to represent him or her in a country, and may have a mandate to govern it in his or her name; in the latter case, it roughly corresponds with the position of governor or deputy...
and a Colonel
Polkovnik
Polkovnik is often a military rank in Slavic countries which corresponds to a colonel in English-speaking states. However, in the Ukraine, polkovnyk was an administrative rank similar to a governor...
. Galitzine's wife, whom married in January 1684, was Anna Ivanovna Sukina (February 8, 1672 - October 7, 1738). The Saltykovs were an ancient 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....
family, and rivalled the Romanovs in nobility. They descended from a sister of the first Romanov tsar, as well as from several Rurikid branches through female lines. For example, Tsarina Praskovia, the mother of Empress Anna, came from this clan, although her branch was only distantly related to the grandfather of Sergei.