Biography
Alexander Menshikov - the approximate and favorite of Emperor Peter I, who has manifested himself in state activities and as a brave commander. He participated in political conspiractions and was known as a state treasury. The identity of Alexander Danilovich Menshikov is a vivid example of how a person from Proshubin has become revered by noble, but finished life in poverty. Having passed the path from the trader to the baking to the right hand of the emperor, he met death while link to Siberia.Childhood and youth
Alexander Menshikov's biography is full of interesting facts, collisions and peripetias, but little is known about his origin. The boy was born on November 16, 1673 in Moscow. About how his childhood was, can be guessed, based on the assumptions of researchers. Some inclined to believe that Alexander's father served as a stable, others adhere to the opinions that he earned a living, being a bakerake.
Once close to the yard, Menshikov hired people describing the genealogical tree. From the arguments there was that the ancestors of Prince were Lithuanian nobles. But, probably, this fact led to please a high-ranking face.
According to the legend, the boy Menshikov sold patties on the Moscow streets, but Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin refuted it, pointing out in drafts to the "History of Peter" that the story came up with the boyars as a mockery. The origin of Menshikov indicated that the young man was negotiable. He was served by Pisari and the secretaries that made up the papers.
Anyway, young Alexander Menshikov fell into the man's leaf service. The general took it under the custody. A 14-year-old young man noticed the king and accepted the twenty. Career developed him quickly. He caused confidence in government ranks, and most importantly - Peter I. Becoming and the buddy of the king, Menshikov was enrolled in fun forces. By the age of 20, he was the scorer of the Preobrazhensky regiment, and soon got the rank of valetiner at the sovereign.
Alexander Menshikov became the nearest trustee of Peter I. He carried out the instructions of the mentor, than caused displeasure Boyar. He was entrusted to accompany the young sovereign in the first foreign journey. Menshikov admirated knowledge from the workers of the Dutch shipyard. Together with Peter Alekseevich, he began to dress at the European manner, bringing fashion to wigs to the capital, participated in military campaigns and helped in government endeavors.
Military service
Alexander Danilovich Menshikov participated in the Azov campaigns, contributed to the suppression of the Streetsky uprising of 1698, which strengthened his confidence in himself. When Franz Leforte died in 1699, Peter I was sure: Menshikov remained the only faithful companion.
In 1700, the Northern War began, in which Alexander Danilovich showed himself a brave warrior. He was on the front line as a cavalry commander and infantry, led the seizure of fortresses, including Nienshanz, for which in 1704 was devoted to Chin Major General.
The sovereign appreciated the merit of the subject, which fought with the Swedish troops in Lithuania in 1705, broke the Madefeld Corps in 1706. By the time he led the army, which included 15 thousand soldiers. Such a reinforcement Pyotr Alekseevich sent to help the king of Poland August to re-removing the Swedes. Menshikov completed the purpose and received the title of the bright prince Roman Empire.
The battle in Poltava again brought the prince of Lavra. He showed the courage after the betrayal of the hetman Mazepa, leading to the avant-garde attacks and the left flank of the offensive. The merit of the commander was the taking of Schlippenbach detachment and the Ross Corps.
With it, it was possible to defeat and turn an opponent's army. The troops of Charles XII with a shame were expelled. But Menshikov overtook them and made to surrender. Being in the hottest points of battles, he repeatedly confirmed the loyalty to the king and the depreciation.
The victory under Poltavaya brought him the title of Field Marshal and the Large Land possessions were bestowed. 43 thousand fortress shower added to the possessions of Alexander Danilovich. He was the only one for the number of serfs, more was only at Peter I. Military activities Alexander Menshikov continued until 1713, being a leader of troops in Kurland, Poland, Pomerania and Holt. In 1714 he returned to Petersburg, having ranks, possessions and high status in the state.
State activities
Menshikov managed to advance through the career staircase thanks to military explorations and reasonable administrative decisions. In 1702, he was listed by the commandant of Noteburg, and already from 1703 he received a appointment to the post of governor of St. Petersburg. Supervised the construction of a new capital, organizing shipyards, industrial enterprises, placing Kronshlot, Kronstadt and their own residences.
Menshikov Palace was one of the first buildings in the city and was distinguished by luxury. And in Oranienbaum he had a country house. By the time the prince was also the governor of Karelia, Estland and Ingermanland. Alexander Danilovich was impossible to be surrounded in celebrating the obligations. From 1713, the emperor and the courtyard moved to St. Petersburg. Now there was a diplomatic department and the Senate.
From the 1715th, the Kronstadt ship squadron was in the care of the prince. He conducted cases deciding in the Admiralty, and even sometimes participated in marine campaigns. One of them was the way out to Rebel and Cape Gangut on the Friedrichstadt ship. Peter I conducted teachings, and his favorite acted as an opponent. In 1721, Menshikov was assigned the title of Vice Admiral.
Alexander Danilovich Menshikov was not sinless. As a person who has power, he felt bad. Therefore, becoming a manager, did not consider indisputable to take advantage of the stateless money. The casnocrad was caught, which was reported to the emperor. Contrary to the law, Menshikov did not betray executions and were not sent to the cautious. Attaching the atrief of the merits of the attorney, Peter Alekseevich preferred to use it in the future and pardoned, deducting from the state of the prince of the loss.
The position of Menshikov has repeatedly underwent danger. One of them was a son of Peter, Alexey, enclosed in the Peter and Paul Fortress. The bright prince personally participated in the torture of the young man and ratified for his execution in 1718. Help is approximate in such a delicate case Peter I incredibly appreciated. Moreover, Alexander Danilovich often helped in solving family affairs. He also contributed to getting rid of the first spouse of the king, Evdokia, and building relationships with the Martha of the Spavonian, who later, as Catherine I.
Despite the patronage, Menshikov regularly came across the treasures of Menshikov often caused the discontent of the sovereign. In 1722, he again fell into disfavor for illegal actions when managing crochlot and robbery. Peter I deprived him of several estates, tobacco sputter, Pskov governorship and put the penalty. Before the death of the king, the approximate again guessed, for which he was deprived of the governor's post occupied for 22 years.
Menshikov was in controversial relations with Empress Catherine I. Helping in the palace coup after the death of Peter Alekseevich, he won the location of the government, but she feared the prince, knowing that he was capable of any evils. Nevertheless, his power was unlimited. In 1728, he became the head of the Supreme Secretary Council and had the right to take laws without the consent of Catherine I. His position of Menshikov decided to back up, issuing his daughter to Peter II. At that time, the prince had the rank of Admiral and Generalissimus.
Personal life
Marriage Alexander Menshikova was happy. The prince was married to Darya Mikhailovna Arsenyeva, the daughter of Yakutsky governor and the slave. The girl from the young years was at the court and consisted in the friendly relations of the sister of Peter Alekseevich, Natalia. Menshikov's sisters were included in the circle of approximated. Familiarity of future spouses took place when Alexander was 25 years old, and Darius - 16. The young people supported a friendship supported letters that were at first were dry.
Daria Mikhailovna managed to melt the heart of the prince his attention, gone gifts to him and showed care. Menshikov's magnificent wedding took place on August 18, 1706. It was noted in Kiev in the presence of Peter I.
In the midst of hostilities, the spouses saw extremely rarely. In 1709, Daria Menshikova gave birth to the firstborn. Being on demolition, she was so worried about the spouse that went to him. The child was born on the road, in Belgorod, where Menshikov was at that time. Alexander Danilovich's personal life was full of love and wife's care. She accompanied her husband in the Rannburg link and in Berezov, but died on the road and was buried in the Upper Honor, near Kazan.
Death
Goats Menshikov after the death of his patron, the sovereign Peter I, did not have borders. Having arranged the engagement of his daughter and Peter II, the prince has enjoyed the support of some courtes. The plans were prevented by a severe illness, for a while, who knocked out a man from the life of the yard. During this period, he was able to endure it in front of Peter II, and by the time Alexander Danilovich was in disfavor. He was arrested, ranks, titles and rewards were taken away, and the property was confiscated.
Menshikov and family referred to the estate of Rannburg, and then to Siberia, in the town called Berezov near Tobolsk. There Menshikov, along with faithful servants, built a house and church. In 1729, Siberia was covered by the Phase epidemic, which was the cause of the death of the sovereign servant. He died at the age of 56, November 23, 1729. Prince buried in the church, which he himself elevated.
The grave of the statesman was not preserved to the present day. About his contribution to history can be found from a variety of sources. Portraits of Velmes are stored in museum collections, and the memory of it is transferred to new generations in history classes. Today's schoolchildren have the opportunity to learn the biography of the famous managers from books and the preserved memories of contemporaries. There are even some detailed descriptions, for example, certificates of the growth of Menshikov in 2 ARSHIN and 12 vershkov (196 cm).
Awards
- 1703 - the Order of the Holy Apostle Andrei First Called
- 1705 - The Order of the White Eagle
- 1710 - Order of the Elephant
- 1713 - Black Eagle Order
- 1725 - Order of St. Alexander Nevsky