Yekaterina Gagarina

Yekaterina Petrovna Gagarina (; May 25, 1790—February 27, 1873), maiden name Soymonova, was a wife of a Russian diplomat Prince Grigory Gagarin and the daughter of the Secretary of State Pyotr Soymonov. Biography Ancestors of Yekaterina Gagarina played a significant role in Russian history. Her father, Pyotr Soymonov (1737-1800), was a senator and a full Privy Councillor, and her mother Yekaterina (1756-1790) was a daughter of Gen. Ivan Boltin, a famous historian, a member of the Russian Academy. Yekaterina's childhood passed among the strife between father and grandmother from her mother side, who wanted to take her granddaughter to his upbringing. The matter went to Catherine the Great, but the Empress did not wish to interfere in the domestic affairs of Pyotr Soymonov. Duties of the court did not hinder Soymonov to devote enough time to his daughter. Yekaterina was brought up in the spirit of his time under the guidance of a French madam Rebyufil. In 1800, after the death of his father, Yekaterina lives with her sister Sophie Swetchine. Her youth passed in St. Petersburg in the house of General Svechin. Being a wealthy bride, Yekaterina Soymonova in 1809 married Prince Grigory Ivanovich Gagarin (1782-1837). The first years of marriage have been very happy. Yekaterina led a secular lifestyle while her husband's career developed successfully. Already in 1811 he became Secretary of State of the State Council. The family was growing, and in 1810 and 1811 two sons were born.