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Grigory Orlov

Grigory Grigoryevich Orlov (17 October 1734 – 24 April 1783) was a Russian nobleman, military officer, and statesman whose intimate relationship with Grand Duchess (later Empress) Catherine II positioned him as a central figure in the palace coup of June 1762 that overthrew her husband, Emperor Peter III, enabling Catherine's ascension to the throne.^[1]^[2]
As Catherine's favored lover and advisor in the immediate aftermath of the coup, Orlov rapidly advanced to the ranks of general-in-chief and imperial councilor, exerting influence over early policies that included military reforms and the orchestration of Russia's first partition of Poland in 1772.^[3] He championed expansive geopolitical ambitions, notably the "Greek Project," a scheme to partition Ottoman territories, revive a Byzantine-style empire in the Balkans under Russian auspices, and secure Orthodox dominance in the region through alliance with Austria.^[4]^[5]
Orlov's tenure, however, was marred by diplomatic setbacks, such as his unsuccessful 1771–1772 mediation efforts in the Russo-Turkish War, which eroded his standing amid rising competition from figures like Grigory Potemkin, leading to his dismissal and exile to estates outside St. Petersburg.^[3] Persistent rumors linked the Orlov brothers, including Grigory, to the mysterious death of Peter III shortly after his deposition—officially ascribed to "hemorrhoidal colic" but widely suspected as assassination—though contemporary accounts and Grigory's own denials cast doubt on his direct culpability, attributing the act more firmly to his brother Alexei.^[2]^[6]

Early Life and Background

Birth and Family

Grigory Grigoryevich Orlov was born on October 6, 1734 (October 17 in the New Style calendar), in the village of Lyutkino in Tver Province, Russia.^[7]^[8] He was the second surviving son of Grigory Ivanovich Orlov, a military officer and official who had served under Peter the Great, and Lukerya Ivanovna Zinovieva.^[8] The elder Grigory Ivanovich rose from modest noble origins through administrative and military roles, including as governor in Novgorod Province, which positioned the family within Russia's service nobility.^[9] The Orlovs were part of a broader Russian noble lineage that emphasized military service and loyalty to the throne, tracing roots to earlier generations involved in imperial defense, such as archery units.^[10] Grigory had four brothers—Ivan (born 1733), Alexei (born 1737), Fyodor (born 1741), and Vladimir—whose shared upbringing in a household focused on martial discipline fostered tight-knit alliances that amplified their collective standing in court and military spheres.^[8]^[3]^[11] This fraternal network, rooted in the Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky Guards regiments where several served, provided early entrée to the intrigues of St. Petersburg's elite without initial high rank.^[3]

Education and Early Military Service

Grigory Grigoryevich Orlov entered military service in 1749 at age fifteen, enlisting as a private in the Semyonovsky Lifeguard Regiment in Saint Petersburg, a common path for noble sons under the military traditions established by Peter the Great's reforms, which emphasized early training in guards units for elite families.^[3]^[8] Although some accounts attribute formal education at the Land Gentry Cadet Corps to him, Russian State Military-Historic Archive documents indicate this training pertained to a contemporary namesake, Grigory Nikitich Orlov, leaving Orlov's early preparation likely informal but aligned with regimental instruction in tactics and artillery fundamentals.^[12]^[13] By 1757, Orlov had advanced to officer rank and participated in the Seven Years' War (1756–1763), serving in the artillery division where Russian forces under Field Marshal Pyotr Saltykov engaged Prussian troops.^[3] He demonstrated personal bravery at the Battle of Zorndorf on August 25, 1758, sustaining a wound during the intense fighting that resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, though he held no independent command and operated as a junior artillery officer.^[3]^[10] Orlov's competence in artillery operations and physical prowess—described in contemporary accounts as marked by exceptional strength and charisma—facilitated his rapid promotion to captain by 1760, including a transfer to the Izmailovsky Guards Regiment and appointment as paymaster of the artillery while garrisoned in Saint Petersburg.^[10] In this role, he cultivated connections among guards officers, leveraging regimental camaraderie to build informal networks that underscored his reliability as a military figure, though his pre-war experience remained limited to routine duties and wartime skirmishes without strategic leadership.^[3] During this period, stationed near the imperial court, Orlov first drew the attention of Grand Duchess Catherine, initiating a personal acquaintance through shared court circles and his guards posting.

Rise to Prominence: The 1762 Coup d'État

Context of Peter III's Reign

Peter III ascended the Russian throne on January 5, 1762, upon the death of Empress Elizabeth, his childless aunt who had designated him heir despite his German Holstein origins and limited familiarity with Russian language and customs. His immediate foreign policy shift toward Prussia—ending Russia's participation in the victorious Seven Years' War, allying with Frederick the Great, and returning conquered territories—undermined military achievements and provoked outrage among generals and officers who had suffered heavy losses fighting Prussia. This pro-Prussian orientation, coupled with Peter's insistence on Prussian-style military drills and uniforms, further estranged the Russian nobility and army, as it prioritized foreign models over established Russian practices.^[14]^[15] Domestically, Peter's favoritism toward his Holstein Guard units, whom he elevated as "exemplary" while sidelining or demoting Russian regiments, intensified military discontent; he replaced veteran commanders, including the war hero Field Marshal Pyotr Saltykov, with perceived incompetence in rewarding loyalty over merit. Rumors circulated that Peter intended to divorce Empress Catherine and confine her to a monastery, exacerbating tensions amid his erratic personal conduct, such as public mockery of Orthodox rituals despite his nominal conversion from Lutheranism. These actions alienated the Orthodox clergy, who resented his secularization of church lands and perceived irreligiosity, fostering widespread instability during his brief six-month rule.^[16]^[17]^[18] Contemporary accounts from participants and observers document this brewing unrest, particularly among the Imperial Guard regiments, whose traditional role in dynastic politics amplified grievances over Peter's Germanophile preferences and disregard for Russian Orthodox sensibilities, setting the stage for elite opposition without immediate violent outbreak.^[19]^[14]

Planning and Execution of the Coup

Grigory Orlov, serving as a captain in the Imperial Guard, assumed primary responsibility for orchestrating the conspiracy against Emperor Peter III, drawing on his influence among military officers and his personal relationship with Grand Duchess Catherine. In the weeks leading to the coup, Orlov secured commitments from key figures, including his brothers Aleksei and Vladimir, and prepared logistical elements such as mobilizing guard regiments sympathetic to Catherine's claim.^[7]^[2] On the morning of June 28, 1762 (Old Style), Aleksei Orlov arrived at Peterhof Palace, where Catherine had been left by Peter during his name-day celebrations, and escorted her—accompanied by Grigory and a small entourage—back to St. Petersburg in a carriage under cover of early dawn to evade detection.^[20]^[2] Upon reaching the capital, the group first proceeded to the barracks of the Ismailovsky Regiment, where Catherine addressed the troops, who enthusiastically pledged their loyalty by acclaiming her as autocrat and destroying icons bearing Peter's image. Orlov then coordinated the rapid rallying of additional forces from the Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky regiments, minimizing opposition through pre-arranged signals and assurances of support, resulting in the coup's execution with negligible bloodshed in the initial phases. Catherine was formally proclaimed empress later that day at Kazan Cathedral, where Archbishop Dimitry of Novgorod administered the oath of allegiance amid assembled clergy and officials.^[20]^[20] Peter III, informed of the uprising while at Peterhof, attempted a feeble counter by sailing to Kronstadt but found the fortress loyal to Catherine; returning to Oranienbaum (his residence near Peterhof), he offered no armed resistance and abdicated the throne on June 29 (Old Style) via a signed manifesto, allowing for his arrest without violence by forces dispatched under Orlov family oversight. He was conveyed to Ropsha Palace under guard for confinement.^[21]^[20] Peter died six days later on July 6 (Old Style) at Ropsha, officially attributed to an attack of hemorrhoidal colic, though contemporary accounts and later suspicions implicated strangulation by guards, potentially including Aleksei Orlov; while a purported confession from Aleksei exists, its authenticity remains disputed, and no irrefutable evidence confirms direct regicide by the Orlov brothers, preserving factual ambiguity amid the era's opaque court intrigues.^[21]^[2]^[22]

Orlov Brothers' Coordination

The Orlov brothers—Grigory, Aleksey, Fyodor, Ivan, and Vladimir—demonstrated tight familial coordination in orchestrating the coup d'état that deposed Peter III on June 28, 1762 (Old Style). Grigory Orlov acted as the primary strategist, drawing on his close ties to Catherine to align elite guard units, while Aleksey Orlov directed the military enforcement, personally escorting Catherine to the Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky regiments in Petersburg to secure their oaths of loyalty before dawn. Fyodor Orlov contributed administrative facilitation by leveraging connections to propagate the plot among court officials and guards, ensuring synchronized mobilization across the brothers' networks without fragmented efforts that could invite detection.^[8]^[23] This unity among the siblings, rooted in shared military experience from the Seven Years' War, enabled decisive action that overwhelmed Peter's isolated forces at Peterhof, preventing immediate resistance. Post-coup, the brothers maintained control by detaining key loyalists and patrolling Petersburg's approaches, thwarting nascent counter-coups from Prussian-aligned officers. In recognition, Catherine II ennobled all five as counts on July 18, 1762, and bestowed vast estates totaling thousands of serfs, including 2,929 souls distributed among them by 1764, which reinforced their role in stabilizing the regime.^[23]^[24] The coordinated execution yielded a near-bloodless power transfer in the capital, with only Peter's subsequent death on July 17 disrupting the initial restraint, thereby averting broader civil unrest from Peter's erratic favoritism toward Prussia and demotions of Russian commanders. Familial cohesion proved causally pivotal, as divided kin networks in prior Russian intrigues had often collapsed under betrayal, whereas the Orlovs' collective stake minimized defection risks during the 24-hour window of vulnerability.^[25]

Personal Relationship with Catherine II

Affair and Illegitimate Son

The romantic affair between Grigory Orlov and Grand Duchess Catherine Alekseyevna commenced around 1760, during a period of marital estrangement from her husband, Emperor Peter III, and amid growing court intrigues that positioned Orlov as a key military ally.^[6] Orlov, a charismatic artillery officer, provided Catherine not only emotional companionship but also physical protection, leveraging his influence within the guards regiments to safeguard her against potential threats from Peter's erratic rule; this dynamic intensified as their liaison fueled mutual reliance, with Catherine viewing Orlov as a bulwark against isolation at court.^[8] The relationship produced an illegitimate son, Alexei Grigoryevich Bobrinsky, born on April 22, 1762, at the Summer Palace in St. Petersburg, mere weeks before the coup that elevated Catherine to the throne.^[8] To mitigate dynastic scandal and preserve the legitimacy of her rule—particularly given the official narrative attributing paternity to Peter—Catherine arranged for the infant to be spirited away immediately after birth, entrusting his upbringing to Vasily Shkurin, a trusted courtier, in a secluded estate far from imperial scrutiny.^[26] Alexei, granted the title Count Bobrinsky after a village estate bestowed upon him, received noble education and resources befitting his origins but was deliberately distanced from court life, with his true parentage concealed even from him initially to avert political complications.^[27] This intimacy served a pragmatic political function, enhancing Orlov's leverage as Catherine's favored confidant without the risks of formal marriage, which would have alienated Orthodox sensibilities and noble factions wary of a parvenu elevation; correspondence from the era, including Catherine's private missives, underscores her emotional attachment to Orlov as a stabilizing force amid the coup's perils, though his role remained that of protector rather than equal partner in governance.^[28] The arrangement underscored causal realities of 18th-century absolutism, where personal bonds fortified alliances but yielded to state imperatives, sidelining the son to prioritize imperial stability.^[26]

Proposed Marriage and Rejection

In the years following the 1762 coup d'état that elevated Catherine II to the throne, Grigory Orlov, as her primary favorite and confidant, pressed for marriage to legitimize their partnership and consolidate his advisory role in governance.^[29] Catherine rejected any such union, determined to exercise undivided authority as autocrat without the complications of a consort, even a non-equal one, which could erode her perceived independence and invite factional intrigue among the nobility.^[29] This stance aligned with her self-conceived model of enlightened absolutism, derived from readings of Montesquieu and Voltaire, which emphasized the monarch's supremacy over personal or sentimental considerations for the sake of state efficacy.^[2] Orlov's initiative reflected his inflated sense of indispensability, rooted in tangible successes like orchestrating the coup's military execution and early diplomatic ventures, yet it overlooked the asymmetric dynamics of their alliance, where Catherine's retention of sole legitimacy as heir to the Romanov line trumped his contributions.^[7] Empirical records, including court correspondences and edicts, show no formal abdication of her widow status post-Peter III, underscoring her strategic calculus against public optics of favoritism amid lingering suspicions over her husband's demise—suspicions often directed at Orlov despite lack of conclusive proof.^[30] The episode precipitated a rupture in their intimacy by 1772, transitioning Orlov from lover to peripheral advisor without evident acrimony in contemporary accounts, though it exposed the fragility of influence dependent on personal rather than institutional power.^[7] This pivot presaged broader tensions, as Catherine diversified her circle of counselors to mitigate reliance on any single figure, preserving the causal primacy of her sovereign prerogative.^[29]

Political Career and Influence (1762–1772)

Appointment to Key Positions

Following Catherine II's accession to the throne on 28 June 1762, Grigory Orlov, who had orchestrated the coup against Peter III, was swiftly promoted from captain to major general and appointed adjutant general and acting chamberlain.^[8] These positions granted him direct access to the empress and oversight of military and court affairs, reflecting his pivotal role in securing her rule.^[3] On 22 September 1762, the day of Catherine's coronation, Orlov received further elevation to lieutenant general, along with the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky and a diamond-studded sword, solidifying his status among the empire's elite.^[8] He was also ennobled as Count of the Russian Empire later that year, a title that underscored his newfound influence.^[3] Orlov's appointments positioned him as a de facto co-ruler in the early months of Catherine's reign, where he leveraged his military connections and noble ties to stabilize the regime amid her relative inexperience with Russian administrative traditions.^[6] The Orlov brothers retained command over key guard regiments, ensuring their continued loyalty and providing empirical security against potential counter-coups, as demonstrated by the regiments' alignment in subsequent decrees issued under Catherine's name.^[31] Initially, Orlov also exerted influence over foreign policy formulations, with early diplomatic maneuvers bearing traces of his strategic input to maintain international recognition of the new government.^[6]

Diplomatic and Administrative Roles

In 1772, Catherine II appointed Grigory Orlov as her principal representative to the peace congress at Focșani amid the ongoing Russo-Turkish War (1768–1774, tasking him with negotiating an end to hostilities.^[32] Orlov pushed for an armistice on terms lenient toward the Ottoman Empire, emphasizing pragmatic territorial concessions to expedite peace and preserve Russian resources strained by military campaigns.^[10] These proposals, however, were deemed overly optimistic and insufficiently assertive by Catherine's advisors, resulting in Orlov's swift replacement by more hawkish negotiators; the talks collapsed, prolonging the conflict until the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca in 1774.^[10] Orlov also held prominent administrative positions, notably as the inaugural president of the Free Economic Society, founded in Saint Petersburg in 1765 under his leadership to advance agricultural modernization.^[13] In this role, he oversaw initiatives to gather empirical data on farming techniques, soil fertility, and crop yields across Russian provinces, sponsoring essay contests and premiums to incentivize landowners to submit detailed reports and adopt improved methods.^[3] These efforts yielded systematic collections of agrarian statistics—among the earliest in Russia—facilitating targeted recommendations for increasing productivity, though implementation remained limited by serfdom's constraints and noble resistance.^[3] Orlov's advocacy extended to the Legislative Commission of 1767, where he championed the society's findings to inform policy, underscoring a data-driven approach to economic administration despite prevailing inefficiencies in imperial governance.^[3]

Advocacy for Reforms

During his tenure as the first president of the Imperial Free Economic Society, founded on December 21, 1765 (Old Style), Grigory Orlov directed inquiries into agricultural improvement, emphasizing the inefficiencies of serfdom and advocating gradual measures to enhance peasant productivity through limited personal freedoms and incentives, such as fixed obligations rather than arbitrary exploitation.^[33]^[3] Under his leadership, the Society sponsored essay competitions, including one in 1766–1767 on means to increase grain yields, awarding prizes to submissions that proposed ameliorating serf conditions—such as prohibiting landowners from selling individual serfs separately from families—without endorsing outright abolition, which Orlov viewed as disruptive to economic stability.^[33] These efforts drew on Enlightenment economic reasoning, positing that motivated labor would yield higher outputs than coerced work, yet they encountered resistance from nobles reliant on serf revenues, limiting adoption to advisory recommendations.^[3] Orlov also advanced public health reforms by promoting smallpox inoculation, undergoing the procedure himself on October 12, 1768 (Old Style), alongside Catherine II and Grand Duke Paul, administered by the English physician Thomas Dimsdale at the empress's court.^[34] This demonstration, which Orlov helped facilitate amid initial elite skepticism, aimed to model the variolation technique—introducing pus from infected sores to induce mild immunity—and encouraged its wider use, reflecting a pragmatic application of empirical medical knowledge to reduce mortality rates that had historically decimated Russian populations.^[34] His advocacy aligned with broader rationalist influences, prioritizing causal prevention over fatalistic acceptance of epidemics, though implementation remained voluntary and uneven due to cultural fears and logistical barriers.^[3]

Decline and Rivalries

Emerging Conflicts at Court

As Grigory Orlov's influence peaked in the late 1760s, factional rivalries intensified at Catherine II's court, particularly with statesman Nikita Panin, who led efforts to erode Orlov's standing by alerting the empress to his extramarital affairs, thereby straining their personal and political bond.^[8] Panin's maneuvers reflected broader tensions between Orlov's military-oriented faction and Panin's diplomatic circle, which favored institutional reforms over the Orlovs' assertive style. By 1772, the rise of Grigory Potemkin as a new favorite further marginalized Orlov, coinciding with Catherine's shift toward advisors who aligned more closely with her evolving administrative priorities.^[7] Orlov's policy positions exacerbated these conflicts, notably his advocacy for conciliatory terms in the Russo-Turkish War (1768–1774), which clashed with hawkish sentiments favoring aggressive expansion. Appointed to the imperial council coordinating the war effort in 1768, Orlov pushed for leniency toward the Ottoman Empire, a stance deemed unpopular amid Russian military gains.^[35] In 1772, Catherine dispatched him as chief delegate to peace negotiations in Fokshany, where he proposed concessions she rejected as overly favorable to the Turks, leading to the mission's failure and his recall, underscoring growing divergences in foreign policy vision.^[7] These episodes, coupled with observable declines in Orlov's role in senatorial decrees and court deliberations by 1770, signaled Catherine's increasing independence from his counsel, as she consolidated power through diverse alliances.^[7]

Loss of Favor and Dismissal

In early 1772, Grigory Orlov's position at court deteriorated amid intrigues orchestrated by rivals, including statesman Nikita Panin, who informed Catherine of Orlov's extramarital affairs, prompting her to end their long-standing romantic and political partnership.^[36]^[8] She replaced him with the younger Alexander Vasilchikov as her favorite by September, signaling a deliberate shift away from the influential Orlov family, whose dominance had begun to constrain her autocratic authority. Orlov, sensing his diminished standing, resigned key positions, though sources differ on the precise mechanism—some attribute it to pressure from emerging court figures like the rising Grigory Potemkin, who allied with Panin against him.^[37] Catherine dispatched Orlov as chief plenipotentiary to the Focșani peace conference with the Ottoman Empire in August 1772, ostensibly to negotiate an end to the ongoing Russo-Turkish War (1768–1774), but effectively demoting him by relocating him from St. Petersburg's power center. There, Orlov demanded maximalist concessions, including vast territorial gains and tribute, which the Ottomans rejected; he abruptly terminated talks on August 25 after just a week, further eroding his credibility. Upon returning to Russia and learning of Vasilchikov's ascension, Orlov confronted Catherine in a heated exchange, after which he withdrew from active court involvement, barred from direct access to the empress.^[38] Despite the rupture, Orlov faced no official disgrace: he retained his countship, estates, annual pension of 150,000 rubles, and military ranks, reflecting Catherine's pragmatic avoidance of alienating a coup architect whose brothers still held sway in the military. The dismissal stemmed from Orlov's increasing arrogance and the Orlov clan's perceived overreach, which threatened Catherine's consolidation of personal rule; by favoring pliable newcomers, she neutralized factional checks, prioritizing governability over loyalty to early allies. This pivot enabled her to navigate the Pugachev Rebellion and war demands without Orlov's often impulsive counsel.^[36]

Exile and Later Years

Diplomatic Mission to Europe

In 1772, amid his waning influence at the Russian court, Grigory Orlov was appointed chief Russian plenipotentiary to the Congress of Focșani, convened to negotiate an end to the Russo-Turkish War of 1768–1774. The talks, held from July to October near the Ottoman border in Wallachia, collapsed after Orlov presented demands for Ottoman cessions including the Khanate of Crimea, strategic Black Sea ports, and recognition of Russian protectorate over Orthodox subjects in the empire—terms reflecting Russia's battlefield gains but deemed unacceptable by Ottoman negotiators led by Muhsinzade Mehmed Pasha. Orlov abruptly terminated the proceedings on October 16, 1772, attributing the failure to Turkish intransigence and unwillingness to concede core territories, though his own imperious demeanor and overambitious proposals exacerbated the deadlock.^[10] With peace elusive and Russian forces advancing—capturing key fortresses like Silistra and advancing toward the Danube—Orlov's role shifted to informal diplomatic overtures during extended travels across Europe from late 1772 to 1774. He visited Vienna to consult Austrian diplomats on mediation possibilities, toured Italian cities including Rome and Naples for health treatments and intelligence gathering, and briefly engaged in Paris and other centers, seeking leverage against Ottoman resolve. These efforts yielded no breakthroughs, as Ottoman war momentum waned but Russian victories under commanders like Alexander Suvorov rendered concessions less palatable to St. Petersburg, where Orlov's rivals portrayed his mission as half-hearted. Diplomatic dispatches from the period indicate Orlov's genuine attempts to broker terms, including proposals for mediated talks via European powers, but these were undermined by domestic court suspicions of his loyalty and effectiveness.^[10] Orlov's European sojourn also involved intellectual engagements, such as correspondence touching on Enlightenment ideas, though his direct exchanges with figures like Voltaire were limited and mediated through Catherine's network rather than personal initiative. His gout, a chronic condition aggravated by stress and travel, progressively debilitated him, confining him to spas and limiting mobility; by 1773, severe attacks forced prolonged stays in Italian thermal baths, curtailing active diplomacy. Mission records, including Orlov's reports to the College of Foreign Affairs, underscore his persistence despite physical frailty and political isolation, yet the enterprise faltered as Catherine prioritized military resolution, culminating in the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca in 1774 without Orlov's involvement.^[10]

Return to Russia and Isolation

Following the breakdown of negotiations at the peace congress in Focșani during the Russo-Turkish War, Orlov abruptly departed in September 1772 upon receiving news of his supplantation in Catherine's affections by Alexander Vasilchikov, returning to Russia without imperial authorization.^[7]^[35] He initially sought to reassert his position by proceeding directly to his Marble Palace in St. Petersburg, but found himself excluded from court circles, marking the onset of his effective political marginalization.^[8] In semi-retirement, Orlov retreated primarily to his Gatchina estate, where he devoted attention to estate administration and personal pursuits amid the broader context of the Pugachev Rebellion's suppression from 1773 to 1775; his brothers Alexey and Fyodor, by contrast, commanded forces that decisively quelled the uprising, capturing the rebel leader Emelyan Pugachev in 1774.^[3] Orlov's sporadic petitions to Catherine for reinstatement yielded no response, underscoring the absence of any viable path to renewed influence.^[35] This period of isolation evidenced Catherine's strategic pivot toward absolutist consolidation, prioritizing reliable administrators like Grigory Potemkin over former intimates; Orlov's interactions with the empress dwindled to negligible levels, confined to formal acknowledgments rather than substantive engagement, with no documented political appointments or diplomatic roles forthcoming until his departure abroad in 1775.^[7]^[3]

Death and Immediate Aftermath

Final Illness and Burial

Grigory Orlov experienced a severe mental deterioration in the years preceding his death, exacerbated by the passing of his wife, Ekaterina Zinovieva, in 1781, which precipitated a slide into insanity and probable dementia.^[7] He died on April 13, 1783 (Old Style), at the age of 48, at his estate Neskuchnoye near Moscow.^[7]^[8] Orlov's remains were interred at the Yuriev Monastery (also known as St. George's Monastery) in Veliky Novgorod, a site associated with Orlov family commemorations, though his burial ceremonies were modest, lacking the grandeur befitting his earlier prominence as a court favorite and military figure.^[8]^[9] Contemporary observers noted that Empress Catherine II conveyed personal sorrow in private correspondence, describing herself as deeply shaken despite prior anticipation of the event, while prioritizing imperial stability amid ongoing court dynamics.^[39]

Family and Estate Settlement

Grigory Orlov died on April 24, 1783, at his Neskuchnoye estate near Moscow, leaving no legitimate children from his brief marriage to Ekaterina Zinovieva, who had predeceased him in 1781.^[8] His sole acknowledged progeny was the illegitimate son he fathered with Empress Catherine II, Alexei Grigoryevich Bobrinsky (born 1762), whom Catherine had ennobled and provided with estates such as Bobrikovo.^[26] Orlov's will directed his substantial personal fortune—accumulated through imperial grants, including the Marble Palace in Saint Petersburg and vast lands—to Bobrinsky, reflecting an intent to secure the young count's position despite the non-marital paternity.^[8] Some family holdings, however, passed to Orlov's surviving brothers (Alexei, Vladimir, and Ivan), preserving the clan's collective properties in line with noble primogeniture customs that emphasized lateral inheritance among siblings absent direct heirs.^[10] The Gatchina estate, under construction at the time of his death, was promptly purchased by Catherine from the heirs, averting any fragmentation.^[40] No significant legal disputes or familial acrimony arose during the settlement, atypical for noble estates of the era prone to protracted divisions.^[10] This smooth process underscored the Orlovs' cohesion, with the brothers leveraging shared resources to sustain the family's prominence; for instance, Alexei Orlov-Chesmensky's prior naval triumphs continued to bolster their status into the post-settlement years. Bobrinsky, managing his inheritance amid personal extravagance, later faced debts covered by imperial intervention but retained core assets like the Bogoroditsk estate until his death in 1813.^[26]^[41]

Historical Legacy

Positive Assessments and Achievements

Grigory Orlov's leadership in the coup d'état of 28 June 1762, which deposed Peter III and elevated Catherine II to the throne, is credited with averting the destabilizing effects of Peter's pro-Prussian policies and erratic governance, thereby securing a foundation for Catherine's 34-year reign (1762–1796) that saw significant territorial expansions, including the First Partition of Poland on 5 August 1772.^[1]^[3] This intervention preserved Russia's Orthodox and national interests against Peter's German-influenced favoritism toward Frederick II of Prussia and potential alienation from traditional allies.^[25] As co-founder and president of the Free Economic Society established on 15 November 1765, Orlov advanced empirical studies in agriculture and advocated measures to ameliorate serf conditions, influencing deliberations in the Legislative Commission convened in 1767 and foreshadowing 19th-century modernizations.^[6]^[3] In September 1771, amid the bubonic plague ravaging Moscow—which killed over 20,000 by October—Orlov volunteered to lead containment efforts, implementing quarantines, suppressing riots on 15–16 September, and restoring order, actions that contributed to halting the epidemic's spread and earned him a special medal "For Delivering Moscow from the Plague."^[3]^[42]^[43]

Criticisms and Negative Views

Orlov's rapid rise following the 1762 coup d'état, which elevated his brothers to key military and administrative posts such as Alexei's admiralty despite limited prior achievements, drew accusations of nepotism that undermined merit-based governance at Catherine's court.^[7] This favoritism, rooted in familial loyalty rather than institutional competence, exemplified broader patterns of personal influence over systemic efficiency, fostering resentment among nobility who viewed the Orlovs' promotions as emblematic of corruption enabled by the empress's affections.^[44] Critics highlighted Orlov's personal failings, including arrogance and indiscretion, which alienated allies and overextended his influence; even Catherine remarked on his poor education, noting his French proficiency extended only to basic phrases, rendering him ill-suited for sophisticated counsel.^[3] Princess Ekaterina Dashkova, a coup participant turned rival, decried his common origins, sudden ascent, and unpolished manners, portraying him as emblematic of unchecked ambition lacking refinement.^[44] These traits contributed to his 1772 dismissal, underscoring the fragility of power dependent on intimate ties rather than enduring capability. In administration and diplomacy, Orlov faced charges of incompetence, most notably during his 1772 mission as chief plenipotentiary at Focșani to negotiate peace amid the Russo-Turkish War (1768–1774); his insistence on liberating Ottoman Christian subjects and partitioning the empire provoked Turkish intransigence and personal insolence, as critiqued by statesman Nikita Panin, resulting in congress breakdown and prolonged conflict until 1774.^[7]^[3] Such episodes reinforced views that his extravagance—evident in pursuits like acquiring the Orlov diamond for 400,000 rubles in 1773—prioritized spectacle over substantive reform, entrenching serfdom through inaction on economic society's discussions rather than advancing emancipation.^[7] While his fall stemmed from infidelity, including an affair with a court lady-in-waiting, no contemporary accounts substantiate treason, attributing decline instead to absolutist demands exposing personal overreach.^[3]

Cultural Depictions

Literature and Art

Eighteenth-century portraits of Grigory Orlov emphasized his martial vigor and aristocratic poise, portraying him as a key military figure and court favorite. Andrey Ivanovich Cherny's enamel miniature, circa 1770 and held in the Hermitage Museum, depicts Orlov in uniform, underscoring his leadership in the 1762 coup against Peter III.^[45] Such artworks adopted a romanticized tone, highlighting physical strength and heroic conspiracy rather than political shortcomings. Memoirs from contemporaries offered more nuanced views, blending praise for Orlov's loyalty with critiques of his ambition. Ekaterina Dashkova, a co-conspirator in the coup, lauded the Orlov brothers' decisive actions in elevating Catherine II but noted personal animosities, including Grigory Orlov's dislike toward her, which reflected broader rivalries at court.^[46] These accounts contrasted romantic ideals of dashing intrigue with realistic assessments of interpersonal tensions and overreaching influence. The Orlov diamond, a 189.62-carat rose-cut gem presented by Orlov to Catherine in 1773, serves as a cultural artifact symbolizing the opulence of his favor and efforts to reclaim imperial affection amid declining status.^[47] Its integration into Russian crown jewels evoked 19th-century literary motifs of extravagant courtly gestures, though without direct narrative depictions, it underscored themes of power and transience in historical reflections on the era.^[48]

Film and Modern Media

In the 2019 HBO miniseries Catherine the Great, Grigory Orlov appears as Catherine's passionate early lover and coup leader, portrayed by Richard Roxburgh, who organizes the 1762 overthrow of Peter III alongside his brothers but grows resentful as her affections shift to Grigory Potemkin. The depiction foregrounds romantic tension and sexual intrigue at court, consistent with Western media's recurrent emphasis on Catherine's libertine image derived from 18th-century polemics.^[49] ^[50] ^[51] Reviewers have critiqued the series for prioritizing sensationalized personal drama over Orlov's verified historical roles, such as his procurement of the Orlov diamond for the Russian crown in 1773 or his contributions to military and diplomatic initiatives, thereby reducing him to a trope of frustrated paramour rather than influential statesman.^[52] ^[53] The Hulu satirical series The Great (2020–2023) features Count Orlo (Sacha Dhawan), a composite character loosely drawn from Orlov, as Catherine's bumbling yet loyal courtier and coup participant who remains platonic and secondary to events, diverging from the historical Orlov's documented romantic primacy and orchestration of the palace revolution on June 28, 1762. Billed as "an occasionally true story," the portrayal amplifies comedic anachronisms, sidelining Orlov's real agency in favor of ensemble farce.^[54] ^[55] ^[56] In contrast, contemporary Russian cinematic treatments, such as those in coup-centered narratives, cast Orlov as an embodiment of patriotic resolve and national service, aligning with emphases on collective Russian valor over individualized scandal. This approach counters Western sensationalism by highlighting his alignment with state imperatives during the coup, though specific Soviet-era films largely omit detailed focus on his personal life to prioritize anti-absolutist themes.^[57]^[58]

References

[1]
Grigori Grigoryevich Orlov | Research Starters - EBSCO
Born: October 17, 1734 · Birthplace: Lyutkino, Tver Province, Russia · Died: April 24, 1783 · Place of death: Neskuchnoyne, near Moscow, Russia.Missing: Grigory | Show results with:Grigory
[2]
The True Story of Catherine the Great - Smithsonian Magazine
May 15, 2020 · How did Catherine the Great come to power? To put it bluntly, Catherine was a usurper. Aided by her lover Grigory Orlov and his powerful family, ...
[3]
Prominent Russians: Grigory Orlov - Russiapedia
Grigory Orlov was a Russian statesman and favorite of Catherine the Great who organized the coup to place her on the Russian throne and subsequently helped ...Missing: Grigoryevich | Show results with:Grigoryevich
[4]
An Affair to Remember | Simon Sebag Montefiore
Feb 24, 2005 · ... Grigory Orlov, was her lover. At thirty-three, she had committed ... He developed what he and Catherine called the Greek Project, the ...
[5]
“Greek Project” in Terms of Political Practice and Russian Imperial ...
“Greek Project” in Terms of Political Practice and Russian Imperial ... Khrapovitsky, the letters of Alexei and Grigory Orlov, and correspondence of ...
[6]
6 Intriguing Nobles at the Court of Catherine the Great - History Hit
Feb 24, 2021 · In 1762, Catherine the Great organised a coup d'état against ... Grigory Orlov was a leading figure in the fateful coup of 1762. The ...
[7]
Grigory Orlov | Biography & Facts - Britannica
Oct 13, 2025 · Grigory Orlov, military officer and lover of Catherine the Great, empress of Russia from 1762 to 1796. He organized the coup d'etat that ...
[8]
Count Grigory Grigoryevich Orlov, Lover of Catherine II (the Great ...
Aug 17, 2020 · Count Grigory Grigoryevich Orlov was the second of the five surviving sons of Grigory Ivanovich Orlov and Lukerya Ivanovna Zinovieva. He was ...
[9]
Григорий Григорьевич (Orlov) Орлов (1734-1783) - WikiTree
Nov 17, 2020 · Born 17 Oct 1734 at Lyutkino, Bezhetsky, in Tver Province, Grigory Orlov was the second son of Novgorod governor Grigory Ivanovich Orlov (1685 - ...<|separator|>
[10]
Empress favorite. Prince Grigory Orlov - Military Review
Oct 17, 2014 · Grandfather Gregory Orlov, Ivan, was a simple archer foreman. For participation in the Streltsy riot, he was sentenced to death, ...
[11]
"Eagles of Catherine" - Military Review
Oct 12, 2020 · There were five brothers in total, as we remember: Ivan, Grigory, Alexey, Fedor and Vladimir. Grigory and especially Aleksey deserve not even ...
[12]
documents from the russian state military-historic archive (rgvia) tell ...
In fact, as the archival data shows, it was Grigory Nikitich Orlov – the future chief Marshal of the court of Catherine II – who was trained at the Cadet Corps.
[13]
Count Grigory Orlov - Military Review
Oct 17, 2012 · In 15 years, Gregory was brought to St. Petersburg and determined to receive education in the Land Cadet Corps. Orlov began military service in ...<|separator|>
[14]
The Domestic Policies of Peter III and his Overthrow - jstor
Peter's fawning admiration of Frederick II an robbed Russia of the fruits of her spectacular. If we add the dissatisfaction of the Guards r style uniforms ...
[15]
The Brief Reign of Peter III | History of Western Civilization II
Peter III's decision to turn Russia from an enemy to an ally of Prussia and his domestic reforms did not convince the Russian nobility to support the unpopular ...
[16]
Why did the Guards revolt against Emperor Peter III - Military Review
Jul 9, 2022 · Peter III finally restored the guards against himself when he preferred the "exemplary" soldiers discharged from Holstein, from whom the Russian guards were ...
[17]
Peter III | Research Starters - EBSCO
Peter attempted to introduce Prussian military practices, further inflaming discontent among the imperial guards. Ultimately, he was deposed in a coup ...
[18]
Did Catherine the Great Kill Her Husband? - History Defined
She presented herself as a defender of Russian traditions and Orthodox faith, contrasting sharply with Peter's erratic, un-Russian behavior. Details of the ...<|separator|>
[19]
The Reputation of Peter III - jstor
The reputation of Peter III derives almost entirely from the writings of those who overthrew him on 28 June 1762 (O.S.), after a reign of barely six months.
[20]
Russian palace revolution. Emperor Peter III dethroned, Catherine II ...
On June 28 (July 9), 1762 Catherine II supported by Guard regiments seized the political power in the country and became autocratic Empress of Russia.
[21]
Peter III | Facts, Biography, & Death - Britannica
Sep 5, 2025 · His popularity diminished further after he succeeded Elizabeth and, reversing her foreign policy, made peace with Prussia and withdrew from the ...
[22]
Assassination of Peter III, Emperor of All Russia (1762)
Feb 6, 2020 · Peter III, Emperor of All Russia died at the age of 34 on July 17, 1762, at Ropsha Palace, a country estate outside of St. Petersburg, Russia.
[23]
Prominent Russians: Aleksey Orlov (Chesmensky) - Russiapedia
In 1762 the Orlov brothers masterminded the guards' revolt and carried out Catherine's plans, overthrowing Peter III. Aleksey, who had thought out the plan to ...The Rise To Power · Revolt Of 1762 · Orlov Trotters
[24]
Aleksey Grigoryevich Orlov | Research Starters - EBSCO
Aleksey Grigoryevich Orlov · Born: October 5, 1737 · Birthplace: Lyutkino, Tver Province, Russia · Died: January 5, 1808 · Place of death: Moscow, Russia.Missing: Grigory | Show results with:Grigory
[25]
Catherine Seizes Power - Russian Life
Jun 28, 2017 · Orlov's success can be explained by Catherine's fear of Grigory and his brothers, who were bold and decisive and served her well during the 1762 ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[26]
Meet Count Bobrinsky, Catherine the Great's bastard son
Aug 2, 2020 · Count Alexey Bobrinsky didn't know he was in fact the son of Empress Catherine the Great. Even before becoming the Russian Empress as a result of a coup d'etat.Missing: raised separately scandal avoidance
[27]
Alexei Grigorievich Bobrinsky - Catherine the Great's Son
Jul 14, 2024 · The young Alexei was initially raised away from the imperial court, under the care of Vasily Shkurin. This arrangement, while unusual for a ...Missing: separately avoidance
[28]
The 6 Most Important Lovers of Catherine the Great | History Hit
Jan 5, 2021 · She kept lovers in the same way kings and emperors had kept mistresses: for pleasure, and often for political reasons, amassing 22 known lovers in her life.Missing: emotional dependence
[29]
Catherine II (Russia) (1729–1796; Ruled 1762–1796)
During her husband's short-lived reign in 1762 she gave birth to another son, Alexei Bobrinskoy, by Russian aristocrat Grigory Orlov. Catherine quickly absorbed ...
[30]
Empress Catherine II "The Great" of Russia
After Orlov's involvement in overthrowing her husband from the throne of Russia, Catherine refused to marry him. In the latter portion of the book she discusses ...
[31]
[PDF] Catherine the Great and the Development of a Modern Russian ...
Historians of Russian monarchy have avoided the concept of sovereignty, choosing instead to describe how monarchs sought power, authority, or legitimacy.
[32]
Focsani Negotiations; 1768- 1774 Ottoman-Russian War - CEEOL
Keywords: Focsani Negotiations; 1768- 1774 Ottoman-Russian War; Yenişehirli Osman Efendi; Yasinizade Osman Efendi; Grigory Orlov; Alexei Obreskhov; ... This ...
[33]
Catherine II - University of Oregon
<>1765:Russian Free Economic Society [VEO] founded *--VEO sponsored essay ... VEO once awarded a prize to an essay which recommended emancipation of serfsMissing: Grigory | Show results with:Grigory<|separator|>
[34]
How inoculation against smallpox became all the rage in Russia
Jul 2, 2022 · The English doctor Thomas Dimsdale, who inoculated Catherine the Great against smallpox in 1768. ... Grigory Orlov snoozed beside them.
[35]
Orlov, Grigory Grigorievich - Encyclopedia.com
Second eldest of five brothers born to a Petrine officer and official, Grigory Orlov had looks, size, and strength. His early years are little known before he ...
[36]
Prince Grigory Alexandrovich Potemkin, Lover of Catherine II (the ...
Aug 24, 2020 · In 1772, Orlov's enemies, led by Nikita Ivanovich Panin, a statesman and political mentor to Catherine, broke up the relationship between Orlov ...
[37]
The love affair of Catherine the Great and Potemkin - Sky HISTORY
Orlov played a pivotal role in the conspiracy to dethrone Catherine's husband later that same year. In return, Catherine bestowed upon him the title of Count ...
[38]
CATHERINE THE GREAT AND HER SEVERAL MEMOIRS - Erenow
... 1772, that her longtime favorite, Grigory Orlov, had been unfaithful. She replaced him as favorite with Alexander Vasilchikov on September 2, 1772 ...<|separator|>
[39]
24th April 1783 . Death of Grigory Orlov Lover of Catherine the ...
Apr 24, 2025 · In 1749, he began his military career in the Seven Years' War - a global military conflict affecting a number of countries. While serving in ...Missing: service | Show results with:service
[40]
Gatchina Palace, located in the town of Gatchina near ...
May 4, 2025 · Petersburg Gatchina Palace was built 1766–1781 for Grigory Orlov, a favorite of Catherine the Great. The Palace is famed as being the first ...Pavlovsk palace in St. Petersburg, Russia - FacebookVladimir Palace Saint Petersburg ,Russia Style Renaissance ...More results from www.facebook.com
[41]
Count Alexei Grigorievich Bobrinsky - Gods and Foolish Grandeur
Aug 22, 2014 · Count Bobrinsky married, had four children, and his line survives to this day. He died at the age of fifty-one at his estate of Bogoroditsk. *** ...<|separator|>
[42]
How did Russian tsars FIGHT epidemics? - Russia Beyond
Apr 5, 2020 · ... Focșani, delivered to St. Petersburg on Jan. 8, 1770, was ignored. In St. Petersburg, it must have been hoped that the plague would stay in ...
[43]
Grigory Orlov | Smart History of Russia
Apr 3, 2015 · Orlov was the first of the two most important favourites of Empress Catherine the Great. He personally carried out the palace revolution that made Catherine ...<|separator|>
[44]
48 “Madame Orlov Could Never Be Empress of Russia” - Erenow
Not everyone was fond of him. Some, like Princess Dashkova, complained of his common origins, his sudden rise, his unpolished manners. Catherine was aware that ...
[45]
Portrait of Count Grigory Grigoryevich Orlov, c.1770 (enamel on ...
Download stock image by Andrei Ivanovich Chernyi - Portrait of Count Grigory Grigoryevich Orlov, c.1770 - High quality fine art images, pictures, photos and ...
[46]
Giving women history: a history of Ekaterina Dashkova through her ...
... Catherine II surrounded by her male favourites, including her virtual co-ruler Grigory Grigoryevich Orlov, who led the palace coup. Grigory disliked Ekaterina ...
[47]
The Orlov Diamond: A Tale of Power and Intrigue - IGS
Aug 1, 2025 · It serves as a physical embodiment of power, ambition, and the tumultuous history of Russian royalty. From its origins as the eye of a deity in ...Missing: symbolism | Show results with:symbolism
[48]
From the Great Mughal to the Orlov Diamond - Only Natural Diamonds
Jan 22, 2021 · She dispatched Count Grigory Orlov, the man who helped her ascend to ... diamonds, became the symbols of royal power in the country.
[49]
Catherine the Great (TV Mini Series 2019) - IMDb
Rating 6.2/10 (6,932) Oscar-winner Helen Mirren will lead miniseries Catherine the Great as the tumultuous monarch and politician who ruled the Russian empire.News · Full cast & crew · Kevin McNally as Alexi Orlov · Parents guide
[50]
'Catherine the Great' Review: The Series Creates a Mesmerizing but ...
Oct 11, 2019 · ... Grigory Orlov (Richard Roxburgh), who led the coup that deposed her husband. But Catherine and Potemkin's combustive romance, depicted in ...
[51]
11 Things Hollywood Gets Wrong About Catherine The Great's Life
Jun 12, 2020 · The Scarlet Empress; Paramount Pictures. Critics throughout history have overstated Catherine's sexuality in a bid to tarnish her reputation.
[52]
Catherine the Great (TV Mini Series 2019) - User reviews - IMDb
Hugely disappointed. Amazing costumes and sets but script was slow, too much debauchary and not enough factual history.
[53]
How accurate is the Catherine the Great TV show? Our expert sorts ...
Oct 3, 2019 · The coup was led by Count Grigory Orlov, Catherine's new lover, a ... It was part of her Greek Project to expel the Turks from Europe ...
[54]
Hulu's The Great Is Wrong on the Facts but Smart About History
May 15, 2020 · In reality, Peter was dull and possibly impotent. On the show, Count Grigory Orlov is a key ally for Catherine but not a lover or a master ...
[55]
Hulu's 'The Great' Cast Photos vs. the Real-Life People
Nov 19, 2021 · It seems Count Orlo is a loose interpretation of the real-life Grigory Orlov. Unlike his TV adaptation, Orlov was a very capable military ...
[56]
The Great: 20 Things In The Show That Are Historically Accurate
Sep 6, 2024 · One notable romance was with a military officer during the time of her coup, Gregory Orlov, who is the most prominent in her historical love ...
[57]
Representations of Catherine the Great in Contemporary Russian ...
The `Russian spirit' in the film is embodied by guardsmen Orlov (who had a real-life prototype Count Grigory Orlov) and Zalessky (fictional character), who ...
[58]
Representations of Catherine the Great in Contemporary Russian ...
Jul 20, 2021 · by the famous Russian poet Mikhail Lomonosov. The 'Russian spirit' in the film is embodied by guardsmen Orlov (who had a real-life. prototype ...