biography
| sex:
| female
|
| lived:
| (1684–1727)
|
| biography:
| Tsarina of Russia (1725–7), who succeeded her husband Peter I, the Great. She was of lowly birth, and was baptized a Roman Catholic with the name of Martha. In 1705 she became mistress to Peter, changing her name to Catherine, and converting to Orthodoxy in 1708. The tsar married her in 1712, and in 1722 passed a law allowing him to nominate a successor. He chose Catherine, having her crowned empress (tsaritsa) in 1724, and after his death, Prince Menshikov (c.1660–1729) ensured her succession to the throne. She was succeeded by Peter's grandson, Peter II. |
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