Catherine Saltykova

Countess Catherine Shuvalova, (born Catherine Saltykova on 23 June 1743 - died on 13 October 1817, Rome), was a Russian courtier, Empress Catherine II's Lady-in-waiting of the Imperial Court of Russia, confidant of Platon Zubov and Ober-Hofmeisterin of the Grand Duchess Elizabeth Alexeievna (Louise of Baden). Biography Catherine Saltykova was the daughter of Field Marshal Earl Pyotr Saltykov and his wife, Princess Praskovia Yuriyevna Trubetskaya. In 1762 Catherine married Count Andrei Petrovich Shuvalov (1743–1789) and soon after the wedding, her husband made a Grand Tour, which included among other things, a visit of Voltaire in Ferney. Back in 1766 in Moscow, Shuvalov settled here in the house on Butcher Street, where in 1767 he was awarded the visit of the empress Catherine. Thanks to her favor Countess Catherine Petrovna took a prominent position at the court. "Cancelled amiable in a simple and a friendly community," according to Prince Dolgoruky, Shuvalov was holding an open house, "where science, art, poetry, theater and all captivating the imagination, abducted first place in the conversation, activities and amusements." Shuvalova assimilated the Deism of her husband, a fervent devotee of Voltaire, and Countess' doctrines last enjoyed in life to justify their weakness, and in this spirit that brought their daughters.