Eléazar de Mauvillon ( 1712-1779). Histoire de Pierre I. surnommé le grand, empereur de toutes les Russies. A Amsterdam et a Leipzig: chez Arkstée et Merkus, 1742. 3 vols. C6408, v.1

Eléazar de Mauvillon ( 1712-1779). Histoire de Pierre I. surnommé le grand, empereur de toutes les Russies. A Amsterdam et a Leipzig: chez Arkstée et Merkus, 1742. 3 vols. C6408, v.1

All of 6-foot-6 in Stocking Feet... The following quotation is from the column, "Who am I? Test your biography I.Q.," in the pop-magazine Biography for Jan. 2002: One of the most controversial figures in Russian history, I brought many reforms to my country, while crushing those who objected. Convinced that Russia needed to modernize, I toured Western Europe and convinced many craftsmen and technical experts to come to our country; I also sent many citizens abroad to learn Western skills. Proclaimed emperor in 1721, my reign saw Russia's first navy, and my wars against the Ottoman Empire established our nation as a formidable military power. Biographers are in general agreement about Peter's character and intelligence. He was strong willed, energetic, purposeful, curious, with a strong work ethic. He was also hot-tempered and cruel and had his own son, Aleksei, put to death (1718). He was a statesman, military man, and the founding of Petersburg was a first step in carrying out major reforms aimed at overcoming Russia's backwardness relative to the West, and affected all aspects of Russian life. Diplomatic consulates were established abroad for the first time in Russian history; teams of scientists were sent out to survey and develop Russia's vast natural resources; the first Russian museum, the Kunstkammer, was established in 1719 and included a public library; the Petersburg Academy of Sciences, founded in 1725, included a Gymnasium and a university; peasants were mobilized for the new armies and for building towns, canals, fortresses. Mauvillon apparently was not a particular admirer of things Russian (we couldn't ascertain if he'd ever visited Russia, let alone Petersburg). He did spend time as a translator and French teacher in Germany, and served for a while as secretary to the king of Poland. One French biographer wrote that he was cold and opinionated and abusive to his wife and child (just like Peter).

C6408, vol. 1