Kirill Razumovsky
Russian statesman (1728–1803)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Count Kirill Grigoryevich Razumovsky or Razumovski[a] (29 March [O.S. 18 March] 1728 – 21 January [O.S. 9 January] 1803) was a Russian statesman of Ukrainian Cossack origin who served as the last hetman of the Zaporozhian Host on both sides of the Dnieper (from 1750 to 1764) and then as a General field marshal in the Imperial Russian Army. Razumovsky was also the president of the St. Petersburg Imperial Academy of Sciences from 1746 to 1798.
Peter III
Catherine the Great
Paul
Kirill Razumovsky | |
|---|---|
Portrait by Louis Tocqué, 1758 | |
| Hetman of the Zaporizhian Host | |
| In office 1750–1764 | |
| Monarchs | Elizabeth Peter III Catherine the Great |
| Preceded by | Office re-established (previously Danylo Apostol) |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| President of the Russian Academy of Sciences | |
| In office 1746–1798 | |
| Monarchs | Elizabeth Peter III Catherine the Great Paul |
| Preceded by | Office vacant |
| Succeeded by | V. Orlov |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 18 March 1728 Lemeshi, Kiev Regiment, Cossack Hetmanate, Russian Empire (now Kozelets settlement hromada, Ukraine) |
| Died | 9 January 1803 (aged 74) Baturin, Chernigov Governorate, Russian Empire (now in Ukraine) |
| Resting place | Refectory Church of Resurrection of Christ,[1] Baturyn |
| Spouse | Yekaterina Naryshkina |
| Children | 11, including Aleksey, Andrey, Grigory and Natalia |
| Signature | _(1).jpg){kind=small} |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Russia |
| Rank | General field marshal (1764) |
Early life
Kirill Razumovsky was born in Lemeshi, Kiev Regiment, Cossack Hetmanate, Russian Empire, on 29 March 1728.[3] He was a member of the Razumovsky family, at that time low-rank family of Cossack Grigory (Hryhoriy) Rozum.[1] He was the younger brother of Alexei Razumovsky, partner of Elizabeth of Russia. Razumovsky was sent to study in Königsberg under Leonhard Euler at age 15.[4] He graduated from the University of Göttingen.[5]
In July 1744, Razumovsky was given the title of count.[3] In 1746, Razumovsky was appointed as president of the Russian Academy of Sciences[5] and served until 1765.[6]
Hetman
In 1750, Razumovsky was elected Hetman of the Zaporozhian Host.[7] He became the largest landowner in Ukraine, with over 100,000 peasants within his lands.[8] Grigory Teplov was his advisor during his time as Hetman. He sought to increase the independence and autonomy of the Hetmanate. The administration of the state was reformed with the state being divided into twenty counties, courts being established, and the Cossack starshyna being called more frequently. Non-Cossacks were allowed to become starshynas.[3]
The finances of the Hetmanate were placed under the control of the imperial government in 1754, and its tariffs were abolished in 1755. The Hetman's power to appoint colonels and distribute hereditary titles were taken away and given to the Governing Senate in 1756. Control over Kiev was taken away from Razumovsky in 1761.[3]
Razumovsky aided Catherine the Great assume the throne in 1762.[6][9] In 1763, he requested that the position of Hetman be made hereditary and remain in his family.[10] Catherine abolished the position on 10 November 1764,[7] and Razumovsky was given the title of General Field Marshal.[11] This was the last Cossack leadership position to be abolished.[10]
Later life
The construction of St Andrew's Church in Kiev was launched by Razumovsky.[6] Razumovsky travelled across Europe and visited Germany, France, and Italy from 1765 to 1767.[3] A place designed by Aleksey Yanovsky was constructed for Razumovsky in the 1780s.[12]
Razumovsky died in Baturyn, Chernigov Governorate, on 15 January 1803.[3]
