If you are a history buff, you must have certainly heard of the famous Russian empress Catherine the Great, who reign extended from 1762 to 1796. During those days, there were often several kinds of affairs and relationships that were often not documented. Many sources say that there was a secret wedding ceremony between her and the statesman Prince Grigory Aleksandrovich Potemkin-Tauricheski. One of their children was Yelizaveta Grigoryevna Tyomkina.
Read on to know more about the personal life details and biography of Yelizaveta Grigoryevna Tyomkina.
Table of Contents
Personal Life
Several historical records and testimonies suggest that Yelizaveta Grigoryevna Tyomkina is the alleged daughter of daughter of Catherine the Great and Grigory Potemkin. She was born on 24 July 1775, but her mother, Catherine II never acknowledged her. She was born secretly, and several court rumors suggested that she was the empress was her daughter. However, several historians think that this may have been unlikely. She was brought up in the Samoilov household, and died on 6 June, 1854.
Spouse
Yelizaveta Grigoryevna Tyomkina was married to Russian statesman Ivan Khristoforovich Kalageorgi. He was of Greek origin, and a childhood friend of Paul I’s second son, Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich. The couple may have had several children together, but only three of them were documented – Konstantin Kalageorgi, Varvara Kalageorgi, and Alexandr Kalageorgi.
He joined the court on January 11, 1782, and was attached to the Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich until 1789 to teach him the language. Then Ivan was commissioned into the army as a Lieutenant and, under marshal Saltykov’s command, participated in the 1790 campaign against the Swedes.
He was promoted to captain in the same year, and in 1793 became a major general. In 1794, Ivan was dismissed from the army to manage state affairs. He was appointed to the Senate as an executor in November 1793. He was awarded the order of St. Anne, for his achievements in the administration of the Kherson province on 29 January, 1810.
Children
The couple, Yelizaveta Grigoryevna Tyomkina and Ivan Khristoforovich Kalageorgi may have had several children during their life as it was not uncommon. Some sources say that they may have as many as ten children, but only three of them were documented – Konstantin Kalageorgi, Varvara Kalageorgi, and Alexandr Kalageorgi. However, there is very little information regarding their contribution to the history of Russia.
Parents
Yelizaveta Grigoryevna Tyomkina was the alleged daughter of Russian empress, Catherine II and Russian statesman Prince Grigory Aleksandrovich Potemkin-Tauricheski. Catherine II or Catherine the Great was the country’s last empress regent and the longest ruling female leader. During her long reign, Russia experienced the Enlightenment, an era of cultural, scientific as well as political progression. During her reign, many new cities, universities and theaters were founded in Russia and a large number of European immigrants moved to Russia, making it one of the great powers of Europe.
Prince Grigory was a Russian military leader, statesman, nobleman who died during negotiations over the Treaty of Jassy. He had become Catherine’s lover, favorite and possibly her consort after he helped her with her 1762 coup.
Conclusion
As a historical figure, Yelizaveta Grigoryevna Tyomkina did not have much of an impact in the politics of Russia. She is famed for being the alleged daughter of Catherine the Great and Prince Grigory Potemkin. Not much information has been noted about her, as her mother did never acknowledged her.
