{ "id": "ep4wdw3r19", "slug": "aleksei-razumovsky", "title": "Aleksei Razumovsky", "updated": "2026-10-21", "topic_path": [ { "id": "society", "label": "Society and history", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society" }, { "id": "society.history", "label": "History and archaeology", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.history" }, { "id": "society.history.europe", "label": "European history", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.history.europe" }, { "id": "society.history.europe.russia", "label": "Russia", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.history.europe.russia" }, { "id": "society.history.europe.russia.ru-peter-catherine", "label": "Russia from Peter the Great to Catherine the Great (1689 to 1796)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.history.europe.russia.ru-peter-catherine" }, { "id": "society.history.europe.russia.ru-peter-catherine.rulers-and-palace-politics", "label": "Rulers and palace politics", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.history.europe.russia.ru-peter-catherine.rulers-and-palace-politics" } ], "geo": [ { "id": "geo.eeu.t1000.society.history.europe.russia.ru-peter-catherine.rulers-and-palace-politics", "label": "Eastern Europe · 1000 to 1799: Rulers and palace politics", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.eeu.t1000.society.history.europe.russia.ru-peter-catherine.rulers-and-palace-politics", "path": [ { "id": "geo.eeu", "label": "Eastern Europe", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.eeu" }, { "id": "geo.eeu.t1000", "label": "Eastern Europe · 1000 to 1799", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.eeu.t1000" }, { "id": "geo.eeu.t1000.society", "label": "Society and history", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.eeu.t1000.society" }, { "id": "geo.eeu.t1000.society.history", "label": "History and archaeology", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.eeu.t1000.society.history" }, { "id": "geo.eeu.t1000.society.history.europe", "label": "European history", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.eeu.t1000.society.history.europe" }, { "id": "geo.eeu.t1000.society.history.europe.russia", "label": "Russia", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.eeu.t1000.society.history.europe.russia" }, { "id": "geo.eeu.t1000.society.history.europe.russia.ru-peter-catherine", "label": "Russia from Peter the Great to Catherine the Great (1689 to 1796)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.eeu.t1000.society.history.europe.russia.ru-peter-catherine" }, { "id": "geo.eeu.t1000.society.history.europe.russia.ru-peter-catherine.rulers-and-palace-politics", "label": "Rulers and palace politics", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.eeu.t1000.society.history.europe.russia.ru-peter-catherine.rulers-and-palace-politics" } ] } ], "excerpt": "Aleksei Razumovsky, also known as Aleksei Grigorievich Razumovsky (Олексій Розумовський), was a Ukrainian-born Russian courtier who secretly married Empress Elizabeth in 1742, became a count and general-feldmarshal, and restored the hetmanate in Ukraine in 1750.", "snippet": "Aleksei Razumovsky, also known as Aleksei Grigorievich Razumovsky (Олексій Розумовський), was a Ukrainian-born Russian courtier who secretly married Empress Elizabeth in 1742, became a count and general-feldmarshal, and restored the hetmanate in Ukraine in 1750.", "node": "society.history.europe.russia.ru-peter-catherine.rulers-and-palace-politics", "markdown": "# Aleksei Razumovsky\n\n**Aleksei Grigorievich Razumovsky** (Олексій Розумовський; 17 March (28 March New Style) 1709 – 6 July (17 July New Style) 1771) was a Ukrainian-born Russian courtier, the favorite and, after a secret marriage, the husband of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna.[1](https://rgfond.ru/person/12877) • [2](https://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?linkpath=pages%5CR%5CO%5CRozumovsky.htm) Born a registered Cossack's son in the [Chernihiv](https://www.edgepedia.org/chernihiv) region, he rose through the imperial court choir to become a count of the [Holy Roman Empire](https://www.edgepedia.org/holy-roman-empire) and of Russia and a general-feldmarshal, though he never commanded troops.[2](https://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?linkpath=pages%5CR%5CO%5CRozumovsky.htm) • [3](https://sklaviny.ru/biograf/bio_r/razumov.php)\n\n| Fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Born | 17 March (28 March New Style) 1709, Lemeshi, Kozelets company, Kyiv regiment[1](https://rgfond.ru/person/12877) • [2](https://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?linkpath=pages%5CR%5CO%5CRozumovsky.htm) |\n| Died | 6 July (17 July New Style) 1771, Anichkov house, Saint Petersburg[4](https://azbyka.ru/otechnik/Spravochniki/russkij-biograficheskij-slovar-tom-15/260) • [5](https://www.unofficialroyalty.com/count-alexei-grigorievich-razumovsky-lover-of-elizabeth-empress-of-all-russia/?share=print) |\n| Marriage | Secret marriage to Empress Elizabeth, 1742[2](https://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?linkpath=pages%5CR%5CO%5CRozumovsky.htm) • [6](https://ru.wikisource.org/wiki/%D0%A0%D0%91%D0%A1/%D0%92%D0%A2/%D0%A0%D0%B0%D0%B7%D1%83%D0%BC%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9,_%D0%90%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%B9_%D0%93%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%80%D1%8C%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87) |\n| Titles | Count of the Holy Roman Empire (1744); Count of the Russian Empire (15 July 1744); general-feldmarshal (5 September 1756)[3](https://sklaviny.ru/biograf/bio_r/razumov.php) |\n| Principal act | Restoration of the hetmanate in Ukraine in favor of his brother Kyrylo (1750)[2](https://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?linkpath=pages%5CR%5CO%5CRozumovsky.htm) • [7](https://militera.lib.ru/bio/bantysh-kamensky/20.html) |\n| Children | None documented[5](https://www.unofficialroyalty.com/count-alexei-grigorievich-razumovsky-lover-of-elizabeth-empress-of-all-russia/?share=print) • [8](https://wacari.org/profile/aleksei-razumovskii-grigorevic) |\n\n## Origins and family\n\nRazumovsky was born in the khutor (farmstead) of Lemeshi, in the Kozelets company of the Kyiv regiment in the Chernihiv region, into a family of registered Cossacks.[4](https://azbyka.ru/otechnik/Spravochniki/russkij-biograficheskij-slovar-tom-15/260) • [2](https://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?linkpath=pages%5CR%5CO%5CRozumovsky.htm) He soon became a favorite of the tsarevna Elizabeth.[2](https://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?linkpath=pages%5CR%5CO%5CRozumovsky.htm) He was the first of his family to use the name Rozumovsky.[2](https://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?linkpath=pages%5CR%5CO%5CRozumovsky.htm)\n\n## Career\n\nRise under Elizabeth. Razumovsky played an important role in the coup of the night of December 5-6, 1741, that brought Elizabeth to the throne.[5](https://www.unofficialroyalty.com/count-alexei-grigorievich-razumovsky-lover-of-elizabeth-empress-of-all-russia/?share=print) He was rewarded with the rank of actual chamberlain and lieutenant of the Leib-Campaign, with the rank of lieutenant-general, although he had no notion of military affairs.[4](https://azbyka.ru/otechnik/Spravochniki/russkij-biograficheskij-slovar-tom-15/260) • [5](https://www.unofficialroyalty.com/count-alexei-grigorievich-razumovsky-lover-of-elizabeth-empress-of-all-russia/?share=print)\n\nIn 1744 he was raised to the countly dignity of the Holy Roman Empire, with other references giving a patent of Emperor Karl VII dated 16 May 1744.[4](https://azbyka.ru/otechnik/Spravochniki/russkij-biograficheskij-slovar-tom-15/260) • [3](https://sklaviny.ru/biograf/bio_r/razumov.php) On 15 July 1744 he was raised to the countly dignity of the [Russian Empire](https://www.edgepedia.org/russian-empire).[3](https://sklaviny.ru/biograf/bio_r/razumov.php) • [9](https://c-cafe.ru/days/bio/2/005.php)\n\nHe headed the Ober-egermeister chancellery (1742–57), commanded the Leib-Campaign company (1745–62), and commanded the Life-Guards Horse Regiment (1748–62).[8](https://wacari.org/profile/aleksei-razumovskii-grigorevic) On 5 September 1756 he was granted the rank of general-feldmarshal, together with Trubetskoy, Buturlin, and Apraksin, without being a soldier and never commanding troops.[3](https://sklaviny.ru/biograf/bio_r/razumov.php) • [9](https://c-cafe.ru/days/bio/2/005.php)\n\n## Political influence\n\nAlthough he took no part in the government of the state, Razumovsky held an enormous and unique position at court, which he kept to the end of Elizabeth's life; his word could secure any request.[4](https://azbyka.ru/otechnik/Spravochniki/russkij-biograficheskij-slovar-tom-15/260) • [6](https://ru.wikisource.org/wiki/%D0%A0%D0%91%D0%A1/%D0%92%D0%A2/%D0%A0%D0%B0%D0%B7%D1%83%D0%BC%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9,_%D0%90%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%B9_%D0%93%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%80%D1%8C%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87) A popular history account calls him the \"night emperor\" of Russia.[10](https://aif.ru/society/history/vernyy_kazak_kak_aleksey_razumovskiy_stal_nochnym_imperatorom_rossii)\n\nUkraine. His elevation had a large influence on the fate of Ukraine.[7](https://militera.lib.ru/bio/bantysh-kamensky/20.html) His persistent requests to Elizabeth concerned help to clerics and favors to his native land: he obtained confirmation of Kyiv's ancient privileges, free import of bread from Poland, and the withdrawal of military regiments whose quartering was burdensome,[11](https://huxley.media/en/roots-and-wings-with-boris-burda-alexei-razumovsky-originally-from-chernihiv-region-is-the-secret-husband-of-empress-elizabeth-petrovna-romanova/) and 84,000 rubles were distributed to the poor.[7](https://militera.lib.ru/bio/bantysh-kamensky/20.html) His main achievement was the restoration of the hetmanate, abolished earlier, in favor of his own brother Kyrylo, appointed hetman in 1750.[2](https://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?linkpath=pages%5CR%5CO%5CRozumovsky.htm) • [7](https://militera.lib.ru/bio/bantysh-kamensky/20.html)\n\nChurch patronage. Through his mediation a commission was set up in Sviiazhsk to spread Christianity beyond the Volga, missionaries were sent to Siberia, Kamchatka, and the Caucasus, and an [Astrakhan](https://www.edgepedia.org/astrakhan) seminary was founded.[6](https://ru.wikisource.org/wiki/%D0%A0%D0%91%D0%A1/%D0%92%D0%A2/%D0%A0%D0%B0%D0%B7%D1%83%D0%BC%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9,_%D0%90%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%B9_%D0%93%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%80%D1%8C%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87) Churches were built at his expense: the Smolensk Icon church in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra (1746–53) and the Three Hierarchs church in Lemeshi (1755).[8](https://wacari.org/profile/aleksei-razumovskii-grigorevic)\n\n## Death and successors\n\nAfter the coup of 28 June (9 July) 1762 he swore allegiance to Catherine II and carried the crown at her coronation.[8](https://wacari.org/profile/aleksei-razumovskii-grigorevic) • [5](https://www.unofficialroyalty.com/count-alexei-grigorievich-razumovsky-lover-of-elizabeth-empress-of-all-russia/?share=print) \n\nHe had no children; the self-styled \"princess\" Tarakanova, an impostor of unknown origin, passed herself off as his and Elizabeth's daughter.[8](https://wacari.org/profile/aleksei-razumovskii-grigorevic) • [5](https://www.unofficialroyalty.com/count-alexei-grigorievich-razumovsky-lover-of-elizabeth-empress-of-all-russia/?share=print)\n\nRazumovsky died on 6 July (17 July New Style) 1771 at his Anichkov house in [Saint Petersburg](https://www.edgepedia.org/saint-petersburg), aged 62 years, 3 months, and 19 days, and was buried in the Annunciation Church of the [Alexander Nevsky Lavra](https://www.edgepedia.org/alexander-nevsky-lavra).[4](https://azbyka.ru/otechnik/Spravochniki/russkij-biograficheskij-slovar-tom-15/260) • [5](https://www.unofficialroyalty.com/count-alexei-grigorievich-razumovsky-lover-of-elizabeth-empress-of-all-russia/?share=print)\n\n## Historians' assessment\n\nRussian reference works class him among the Russian \"chance people\" of the 18th century, the favorites raised from obscurity by a monarch's favor.[4](https://azbyka.ru/otechnik/Spravochniki/russkij-biograficheskij-slovar-tom-15/260) • [12](http://www.brocgaus.ru/text/083/605.htm) The same works stress the contrast between his exalted ranks and his lack of military or administrative service: a field marshal who never commanded troops, and a courtier who took no part in governing, yet whose word at court decided requests.[3](https://sklaviny.ru/biograf/bio_r/razumov.php) • [4](https://azbyka.ru/otechnik/Spravochniki/russkij-biograficheskij-slovar-tom-15/260) His concrete mark on policy lay in Ukrainian affairs and church patronage rather than in state administration.[7](https://militera.lib.ru/bio/bantysh-kamensky/20.html) • [6](https://ru.wikisource.org/wiki/%D0%A0%D0%91%D0%A1/%D0%92%D0%A2/%D0%A0%D0%B0%D0%B7%D1%83%D0%BC%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9,_%D0%90%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%B9_%D0%93%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%80%D1%8C%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87)\n\n## Legacy\n\nUnder his influence Ukrainian matters became fashionable at Elizabeth's court.[2](https://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?linkpath=pages%5CR%5CO%5CRozumovsky.htm) The legend of a secret marriage and hidden children fed imposture for decades, most famously through the \"princess\" Tarakanova.[8](https://wacari.org/profile/aleksei-razumovskii-grigorevic)\n\n## References\n\n1. [Алексей Григорьевич Разумовский – РГФ](https://rgfond.ru/person/12877)\n2. [Rozumovsky – Encyclopedia of Ukraine](https://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?linkpath=pages%5CR%5CO%5CRozumovsky.htm)\n3. [Разумовский, Алексей Григорьевич – биографическая статья](https://sklaviny.ru/biograf/bio_r/razumov.php)\n4. [Разумовский, Алексей Григорьевич – Русский биографический словарь, Том 15](https://azbyka.ru/otechnik/Spravochniki/russkij-biograficheskij-slovar-tom-15/260)\n5. [Count Alexei Grigorievich Razumovsky, Lover of Elizabeth, Empress of All Russia – Unofficial Royalty](https://www.unofficialroyalty.com/count-alexei-grigorievich-razumovsky-lover-of-elizabeth-empress-of-all-russia/?share=print)\n6. [РБС/ВТ/Разумовский, Алексей Григорьевич – Wikisource](https://ru.wikisource.org/wiki/%D0%A0%D0%91%D0%A1/%D0%92%D0%A2/%D0%A0%D0%B0%D0%B7%D1%83%D0%BC%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9,_%D0%90%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%B9_%D0%93%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%80%D1%8C%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87)\n7. [Бантыш-Каменский. Биографии российских генералиссимусов и генерал-фельдмаршалов](https://militera.lib.ru/bio/bantysh-kamensky/20.html)\n8. [Разумовский, Алексей Григорьевич, Биография – Wacari](https://wacari.org/profile/aleksei-razumovskii-grigorevic)\n9. [Биография Алексея Григорьевича Разумовского](https://c-cafe.ru/days/bio/2/005.php)\n10. [Верный казак. Как Алексей Разумовский стал «ночным императором» России – Аргументы и Факты](https://aif.ru/society/history/vernyy_kazak_kak_aleksey_razumovskiy_stal_nochnym_imperatorom_rossii)\n11. [Roots and Wings with Boris Burda: Alexei Razumovsky – Huxley Media](https://huxley.media/en/roots-and-wings-with-boris-burda-alexei-razumovsky-originally-from-chernihiv-region-is-the-secret-husband-of-empress-elizabeth-petrovna-romanova/)\n12. [Разумовский, Алексей Григорьевич – Энциклопедический словарь Брокгауза и Ефрона](http://www.brocgaus.ru/text/083/605.htm)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Society and history › History and archaeology › European history › Russia › Russia from Peter the Great to Catherine the Great (1689 to 1796) › Rulers and palace politics*\n\n*Initially written Sep 24, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Sep 30, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/aleksei-razumovsky", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/aleksei-razumovsky.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Aleksei Razumovsky\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/aleksei-razumovsky. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Aleksei Razumovsky](https://www.edgepedia.org/aleksei-razumovsky)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/aleksei-razumovsky](https://www.edgepedia.org/aleksei-razumovsky). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Aleksei Razumovsky\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/aleksei-razumovsky. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Aleksei Razumovsky, also known as Aleksei Grigorievich Razumovsky, was a Ukrainian-born Russian courtier who secretly married Empress Elizabeth in 1742, became a count and general-feldmarshal, and restored the hetmanate in Ukraine in 1750." }