V. Borovikovsky "G.R. Derzhavin (fragment)

I didn't know how to pretend
Look like a saint
To inflate yourself with an important dignity
And take the philosopher's view;
I loved sincerity
I thought only they would like me,
The human mind and heart
They were my genius. (G.R. Derzhavin)

Gabriel (Gavrila) Romanovich Derzhavin(July 3, 1743 - July 8, 1816) - Russian poet of the Enlightenment, who in various years of his life held the highest government positions: ruler of the Olonets governorship (1784-1785), governor of the Tambov province (1786-1788 gg.), Cabinet Secretary of Catherine II (1791-1793), President of the Commerce Collegium (since 1794), Minister of Justice (1802-1803). Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences since its founding.

Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin was born on a family estate in the village of Karmachi near Kazan in 1743, and spent his childhood there. He lost his father, Major Roman Nikolaevich, early. Mother - Fyokla Andreevna (nee Kozlova). Derzhavin is a descendant of the Tatar Murza Bagrim, who moved out of the Great Horde in the 15th century.

In 1757, Derzhavin entered the Kazan gymnasium.
He studied well, but he did not manage to finish the gymnasium: in February 1762 he was called to St. Petersburg and assigned to the Preobrazhensky Guards Regiment. He began his service as a simple soldier and served for ten years, and from 1772 in an officer's position. In 1773−1774 he participated in the suppression of the Pugachev uprising.

Together with the regiment, he took part in the palace coup that brought Catherine II to the throne. Literary and public fame came to Derzhavin in 1782, after writing the ode “Felitsa”, which praises Empress Catherine II.

I. Smirnovsky "Portrait of G.R. Derzhavin

Hot by nature, Derzhavin always had difficulties in life because of his lack of restraint, impatience, and even because of his zeal for work, which was not always welcomed.

G.R. Derzhavin in Olonets province

In 1773, by decree of Catherine II, the Olonets province was created (consisting of two counties and one district).

The complex system of local administrative and judicial bodies that existed under Peter I was destroyed after his death. By the beginning of the 60s of the 18th century, essentially only governors and governors remained in place. Therefore, from the first years of her reign, Catherine II had to not so much reform as create a new system of local government and courts, initially trying to correct their shortcomings with separate private decrees. Until 1775, she issued about a hundred such laws, although the vast majority were on private and minor issues. The peasant war led by E. Pugachev forced Catherine to act more decisively. Also V.O. Klyuchevsky noted that the local administration was unable to either prevent the uprising or resist it.

In 1776, in accordance with the “Institutions”, the Novgorod governorate was formed, consisting of two regions - Novgorod and Olonets.

The first Olonets governor was G.R. Derzhavin. In accordance with the law, the governor was entrusted with a wide range of responsibilities: to monitor the actions of all other officials and the implementation of laws. This was obvious to Derzhavin; he believed that establishing order in local government and the courts depended solely on a conscientious attitude to business and strict compliance with the law by officials. The lines of G.R.’s own poem eloquently speak about this. Derzhavina:

I know what my position is:
All that is stingy, and vile, and vicious,
And I won’t tolerate anyone this way or that.
And I will only glorify those with praise,
Who will surprise with good morals,
It will be useful to yourself and society -
Be a master, be a servant, but he will be kind to me.

V. Borovikovsky "Portrait of Derzhavin"

Already a month after the formation of the province, subordinate institutions were informed that all persons in the public service who violated the law would be punished, according to the importance of their omissions, by deprivation of their place or rank.

When forming the bureaucracy G.R. Derzhavin was faced with a problem such as a chronic lack of competent officials.

Simultaneously with the creation of the governorship, new provincial judicial bodies were established.

Derzhavin tried to restore order in the province and fought corruption, but this only led to conflicts with the local elite.

G.R. Derzhavin - governor of the Tambov province

In December 1785, by decree of Catherine II, he was appointed to the post of ruler of the Tambov governorship, where he arrived on March 4, 1786.

Arriving in Tambov, Derzhavin found the province in extreme disorder. During the six years of the existence of the province, four governors were replaced, affairs were in disarray, the borders of the province were not defined, arrears reached enormous proportions, and the provincial center was buried in the mud. There was a sense of lack of education throughout society, and especially among the nobility, which, according to Derzhavin, “... was so rude and needy that they could neither dress, nor enter, nor address themselves as a noble person should...”

Grammar, arithmetic, geometry, vocal music, and dance classes were opened for youth. The garrison school and theological seminary provided a low level of knowledge, so a public school was opened in the house of the merchant Jonah Borodin. Theatrical performances were given in the governor's house, and soon the construction of a theater began. Derzhavin can be credited with writing the topography of the province and drawing up a plan for Tambov, putting things in order in office work, opening a printing house, taking measures to improve navigation along the Tsna River, and purchasing flour for St. Petersburg that was profitable for the treasury. Under the new governor, compliance with laws improved and the prison was put in order. The foundation was laid for an orphanage, an almshouse, and a hospital. Under him, public schools were opened in Kozlov, Lebedyan, and Morshansk. In the first provincial printing house, one of the few provincial newspapers, “Gubernskie Vedomosti,” began printing. Derzhavin’s activities laid a strong foundation for the further development of the Tambov region.

Senators Vorontsov and Naryshkin came to audit affairs in the province. The improvement was so obvious that in September 1787 Derzhavin was awarded the Order of Vladimir, 3rd degree. Having no special training, Derzhavin showed administrative talent and proved that the reason for his inaction in his previous post as Olonets governor was someone else’s opposition.

But Derzhavin’s progressive activities in the Tambov region came into conflict with the interests of local landowners and nobles. In addition, Governor General I.V. Gudovich took the side of his entourage in all conflicts. They, in turn, covered up local thieves and scammers.
Derzhavin's attempt to punish the landowner Dulov, who ordered the shepherd boy to be brutally beaten for a minor offense, failed. But the hostility of the provincial landowners towards the governor, who limited their arbitrariness, grew stronger. Also in vain were actions to suppress the theft of the merchant Matvey Borodin, who deceived the treasury when supplying bricks for construction, and then received a wine payoff on conditions unfavorable to the treasury. The matter of purchasing provisions for the army turned out extremely unsuccessfully for Derzhavin.

The flow of reports, complaints, and slander against Derzhavin increased, and in January 1789 he was removed from the post of governor. Derzhavin's short governorship brought great benefits to the Tambov region and left a noticeable mark on the history of the region.

In 1789, Derzhavin returned to the capital, where he occupied various high administrative positions. All this time he continues to engage in literary creativity, creating the odes “God” (1784), “Thunder of Victory, Ring Out!” (1791, unofficial Russian anthem), “Nobleman” (1794), “Waterfall” (1798) and other works.

• 1791-1793 - Cabinet Secretary of Catherine II
• from 1793 - Senator

Under Emperor Paul I, the poet was appointed state treasurer, but he did not get along with Paul, since, due to his developed habit, he was often rude and swore during his reports. “Go back to the Senate,” the emperor once shouted at him, “and sit there quietly with me, otherwise I’ll teach you a lesson!” Struck by the anger of Paul I, Derzhavin only said: “Wait, this tsar will be of some use.” Alexander I, who replaced Paul, also did not leave Derzhavin unattended - he appointed him Minister of Justice. But a year later he released him: “he serves too zealously.”

In 1809, he was finally removed from all government posts (“dismissed from all affairs”).

Derzhavin and Pushkin

I. Repin "Derzhavin at the exam at the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum"

In 1815, during an exam at the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum, Derzhavin and Pushkin met for the first time. Pushkin’s memories of this meeting have been preserved: “I saw Derzhavin only once in my life, but I will never forget it. It was in 1815, at a public examination at the Lyceum. When we found out that Derzhavin would be visiting us, we all became excited. Delvig went out onto the stairs to wait for him and kiss his hand, the hand that wrote “Waterfall.” Derzhavin has arrived. He entered the hallway, and Delvig heard him ask the doorman: where, brother, is the outhouse here? This prosaic question disappointed Delvig, who canceled his intention and returned to the hall. Delvig told me this with amazing simplicity and gaiety. Derzhavin was very old. He was in a uniform and velvet boots. Our exam tired him very much. He sat with his head on his hand. His face was meaningless, his eyes were dull, his lips were hanging: his portrait (where he is shown in a cap and robe) is very similar. He dozed off until the exam in Russian literature began. Here he perked up, his eyes sparkled; he was completely transformed. Of course, his poems were read, his poems were analyzed, his poems were praised every minute. He listened with extraordinary liveliness. Finally they called me. I read my “Memoirs in Tsarskoe Selo” while standing two steps from Derzhavin. I am unable to describe the state of my soul: when I reached the verse where I mention Derzhavin’s name, my adolescent voice rang and my heart began to beat with rapturous delight...

I don’t remember how I finished my reading, I don’t remember where I ran away to. Derzhavin was delighted; he demanded me, wanted to hug me... They looked for me, but didn’t find me..."

Creativity G.R. Derzhavina

Before Derzhavin, Russian poetry still remained rather conventional. He boldly and unusually expanded its themes - from a solemn ode to the simplest song. For the first time in Russian poetry, the image of the author, the personality of the poet himself, appeared. The basis of art is high truth, Derzhavin believed, which only a poet can explain. Art must imitate nature, only then can one get closer to a true comprehension of the world, to a true study of people, to the correction of their morals.

Derzhavin develops the traditions of Russian classicism, being a successor to the traditions of Lomonosov and Sumarokov.

For him, the purpose of a poet is to glorify great deeds and censure bad ones. In the ode “Felitsa” he glorifies enlightened monarchy, which is personified by the reign of Catherine II. The intelligent, fair empress is contrasted with the greedy and selfish court nobles:

You just won’t offend the only one,

Don't insult anyone

You see the foolishness through your fingers,

The only thing you can’t tolerate is evil...

Derzhavin looked at poetry, at his talent, first of all, as a kind of weapon given to him from above for political battles. He even compiled a special “key” to his works - a detailed commentary indicating exactly what events led to the creation of a particular work.

"To Rulers and Judges"

The Almighty God has risen and judges
Earthly gods in their host;
How long, rivers, how long will you be
Spare the unrighteous and evil?

Your duty is: to preserve the laws,
Don't look at the faces of the strong,
No help, no defense
Do not leave orphans and widows.

Your duty: to save the innocent from harm,
Give cover to the unlucky;
To protect the powerless from the strong,
Free the poor from their shackles.

They won't listen! - they see and don’t know!
Covered with bribes of tow:
Atrocities shake the earth,
Untruth shakes the skies.

Kings! - I thought you gods were powerful,
No one is the judge over you, -
But you, like me, are equally passionate
And they are just as mortal as I am.

And you will fall like this,
Like a withered leaf falling from the tree!
And you will die like this,
How your last slave will die!

Resurrect, God! God of the right!
And they heeded their prayer:
Come, judge, punish the evil ones
And be one king of the earth!

In 1797, Derzhavin acquired the Zvanka estate, where he spent several months every year. The following year, the first volume of his works was published, which included such poems that immortalized his name, such as “On the Birth of a Porphyry Youth”, “On the Death of Prince. Meshchersky”, “Key”, odes “God”, “On the Capture of Ishmael”, “Nobleman”, “Waterfall”, “Bullfinch”.

After retiring, Derzhavin devoted himself almost entirely to drama - he composed several librettos for operas, tragedies “Herod and Mariamne”, “Eupraxia”, “Dark”. From 1807, he actively participated in meetings of the literary circle, which later formed the famous society “Conversation of Lovers of the Russian Word.” He worked on “Discourse on Lyric Poetry or Ode,” in which he summarized his own literary experience.

Gabriel Romanovich and his wife Daria Alekseevna were buried in the Transfiguration Cathedral of the Varlaamo-Khutyn Monastery near Veliky Novgorod. Derzhavin died in 1816 in his house on the Zvanka estate. The coffin with the body of the deceased on a barge along the Volkhov went to its last refuge. During the Great Patriotic War the monastery was destroyed. Derzhavin’s grave was also damaged. In 1959, the remains of the poet and his wife were reburied in Novgorod Detinets. In 1993, in connection with the 250th anniversary of the poet, his remains were returned to the monastery.

"Monument"

I erected a wonderful, eternal monument to myself,
It is harder than metals and higher than the pyramids;
Neither a whirlwind nor a fleeting thunder will break it,
And time's flight will not crush it.
So! - all of me will not die; but there is a big part of me.
Having escaped from decay, he will live after death,
And my glory will increase without fading,
How long will the universe honor the Slavic race?
Rumors will spread about me from the White Waters to the Black Waters,
Where the Volga, Don, Neva, the Urals flow from Riphean;
Everyone will remember this among countless nations,
How from obscurity I became known,
That I was the first to dare in a funny Russian syllable
To proclaim Felitsa’s virtues,
Talk about God in simplicity of heart
And speak the truth to kings with a smile.
O Muse! be proud of your just merit,
And whoever despises you, despise them yourself;
With a relaxed hand, leisurely,
Crown your brow with the dawn of immortality.

Memories of Derzhavin S.T. Aksakova

Derzhavin’s noble and direct character was so open, so defined, so well known that no one was mistaken about him; everyone who wrote about him wrote very correctly. One can imagine that in his youth his ardor and temper were even stronger and that his liveliness often involved him in rash speeches and careless actions. As far as I could notice, he had not yet learned, despite seventy-three years of experience, to control his feelings and hide the excitement of his heart from others. Impatience, it seems to me, was the main quality of his character; and I think that she caused him a lot of unpleasant troubles in everyday life and even prevented him from developing smoothness and correctness of language in poetry. As soon as inspiration left him, he became impatient and handled the language without any respect: he bent the syntax, the word stress and the very use of words to his knees. He showed me how he corrected unsmooth, rough expressions in his previous works, which he was preparing for a future publication. I can say positively that what was corrected was incomparably worse than what was not corrected, and the irregularities were replaced by even greater irregularities. I attribute this failure in amendments solely to Derzhavin’s impatient disposition. I dared to give him a little opinion, and he agreed very complacently.

The river of times in its rush
Takes away all people's affairs
And drowns in the abyss of oblivion
Nations, kingdoms and kings.
And if anything remains
Through the sounds of the lyre and trumpet,
Then it will be devoured by the mouth of eternity
And the common fate will not go away.

(unfinished ode to Derzhavin)

I myself admired the work of Gabriel Derzhavin. In addition to literature, the biography of Gabriel Romanovich included public service, devotion to the empress and the unofficial anthem of the empire.

Childhood and youth

The poet and statesman was born in the Kazan province in 1743. The birthday fell on July 14th according to the new style. The Derzhavin family originates from the Tatar Murza Bagrim. According to family legend, the ancestor entered the service of the prince from the ranks of the Golden Horde in the 15th century.

Having changed his religion, the former subject of the Horde received the name Ilya at baptism. From one of Ilya’s sons, Derzhava, a branch of Gabriel Romanovich’s family originated.

The Derzhavin family was not rich. The father, a nobleman with the honorary rank of second major, passed away early, and the hardships of raising his son fell on the shoulders of Fekla Andreevna’s mother. It was difficult for the woman to give Gabriel a decent education. At first, the boy learned to count, read and write at home. The first teachers were clergy.

At the age of seven, the boy entered a boarding school in Orenburg, which was not known for its quality education. However, after the lessons received, Derzhavin begins to speak German tolerably. A little later, the family moved to Kazan, and the young man went to study at the gymnasium.

The high school student loved it art and engineering, in which he was very successful. Here the teenager became acquainted with the work of poets Vasily Trediakovsky. The young man himself picks up a pen for the first time and tries his hand at poetry. The first pancake turned out to be lumpy, the syllable was not entirely successful, and there was no one to ask for advice.

In 1762, a demand came for Derzhavin to appear in the Preobrazhensky Regiment, and the young man entered military service. Gabriel Romanovich himself considered his years in the army the worst of his entire life. Before it could begin, everyday life in the army grew into a coup d'état, in which Derzhavin participated along with the rest of the guards. As a result, she ended up on the throne.

For the young nobleman, life in the army did not become any easier. At first, I had to share the barracks with the soldiers; there was sorely not enough time to study poetry or science. Gabriel Romanovich did not have high-ranking patrons, so he was promoted slowly. The future poet had to ask for a promotion in writing, listing his services to the Empress. The request was granted, and the nobleman received the rank of corporal and moved to the officer's barracks. But at this time Derzhavin became interested in carousing and playing cards.

In 1770, the nobleman decided to move away from wild life, and in 1772 he was brought in to suppress the Pugachev rebellion.

Literature

The first work published in 1773, written by Derzhavin, was an ode to the wedding of the Grand Duke. At first, the poet imitated Lomonosov's style. Unfortunately, Gavriil Romanovich was not able to repeat the “airy” style of Mikhail Vasilyevich’s work.

Soon, following the advice of friends more experienced in literary work, Derzhavin chose an ode as a model. According to the creator, the main task of the writer is to glorify noble deeds and censure bad deeds.

Initially, the poet's works were published without a signature in the St. Petersburg Bulletin. "The Key" and "To Rulers and Judges" saw the light. However, sublime and pompous poems made Derzhavin famous among writers, but not among society.

The name of Gabriel Romanovich thundered after he wrote the ode “Felitsa”, praising Catherine. For his enthusiastic poems, the poet received from the empress a box studded with diamonds, containing 500 chervonets.

After this, the poems “Waterfall”, “Vision of Murza”, “God” were published in “Interlocutor”. The last ode became the crown of Gabriel Romanovich’s work, and the poet himself became one of the classics and idols. In total, the writer created hundreds of works, which make up a dozen collections of books. An interesting fact is Derzhavin’s simplicity in everyday life.

In 1815, the already recognized writer visited the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum. To the surprise of the students, the first question asked by the author of the sublime poems was about the location of the restroom. By the way, the most famous and talented graduate of the lyceum, Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin, considered Derzhavin the ideal of poetry. The work “I Erected a Monument to Myself, Not Made by Hands” was written by him based on the model of Derzhavin’s “Monument”.

A reliable fact is Derzhavin’s love for erotic prose. The writer wrote his works, giving them a special softness, trying to exclude words with the sounds “r” from the text. At the same time, Gabriel Romanovich preferred that his creations be read in the company of ladies.

Of course, Derzhavin was mainly engaged in serious creativity. Thus, among the literary achievements is the unofficial anthem of the Russian Empire, “The thunder of victory, ring out!”, written after the capture of the Izmail fortress by Russian troops during Turkish war. The music for the poetry was written by Osip Kozlovsky.

Policy

In addition to literature, Gavriil Romanovich studied public service. After his long-awaited resignation in 1777, Derzhavin was promoted to collegiate adviser and received 300 peasant souls in Belarus. In 1780, the nobleman entered the Senate, but Derzhavin’s straightforwardness and willfulness in decisions provided the statesman with ill-wishers.

In 1783, as a member of the Imperial Russian Academy, the poet participated in the compilation of the first explanatory dictionary.

In 1784, the nobleman was appointed ruler of the Olonets governorate, and from 1786 to 1788 he served as the head of the Tambov governorship. The province was listed among the backward. Behind short term the new governor managed to raise the prestige of the entrusted territory. The first printing house, school, hospital, shelter and theater were built in the province.

Since 1791, Derzhavin returned to the capital, to the court of Catherine. The crowning achievement of the nobleman's political career was the position of Minister of Justice of the Russian Empire, which he held in 1802-1803.

From this post, Gabriel Romanovich was dismissed and was given the opportunity to devote himself entirely to literary creativity. Having settled on the Zvanka estate in the Novgorod province, the poet spends his days writing poetry.

Personal life

The poet's first wife in 1778 was 16-year-old Ekaterina Yakovlevna Bastidon. Still a young woman, at the age of 34, Ekaterina died suddenly and was buried at the Lazarevskoye cemetery in St. Petersburg.

Derzhavin remarried six months later. This time, Daria Alekseevna Dyakova became the chosen one, with whom he lived until the end of his life. Both of the poet's wives are sung in his works.

The nobleman had no natural children, but Dyakova’s nieces and the orphaned offspring of Derzhavin’s friend, Pyotr Lazarev, were raised in the family’s care. One of the sons, Mikhail Lazarev, later discovered Antarctica, being a talented admiral.

Death

In 1816, already at a venerable age, the famous Russian poet died on his own estate in the Novgorod province.

The grave of Gabriel Romanovich together with his wife, who passed away in 1842, is located in the Transfiguration Cathedral of the Varlaamo-Khutyn Monastery near Veliky Novgorod.

Quotes

The news is often nothing more than oblivion of the past.

Fun is only pure,

There is no remorse for which.

A statesman, more than other fellow citizens, must be animated, motivated and guided by love for the Fatherland. He must live by love for the Fatherland, pour it into his subordinates and be an example in it to the entire state.

A donkey will remain a donkey

Although shower him with stars;

Where should one act with the mind,

He just flaps his ears.

Bibliography

• 1798 - "Derzhavin G. Works"
• Derzhavin Gabriel Romanovich "Works. Edited by Ya. Grot in 9 volumes"
• 1933 - "Derzhavin G. R. Poems"
• 1957 - "Poems by G. R. Derzhavin"
• 1980 - "Poems. Prose. (G. R. Derzhavin)"
• 1984 - "Selected prose. (G. R. Derzhavin)"

1. Private, gambler, collegiate adviser
2. “Felitsa” and the first anthem of Russia

Gavriil Derzhavin went down in history not only as a writer, he went from a private in the guard to the Minister of Justice of the Russian Empire. He was the governor of two regions and personal assistant to Catherine II. He wrote the first unofficial anthem of Russia, participated in one of the first literary circles of the 18th century, and then created his own - “Conversation of Lovers of the Russian Word.”

Gabriel Derzhavin was born in 1743 near Kazan. His father died early, and it was difficult for his mother to give her sons a good education. The family moved often. First, Derzhavin studied at an Orenburg school, then at a Kazan gymnasium. Here he became acquainted with the poetry of Mikhail Lomonosov, Alexander Sumarokov, Vasily Trediakovsky and tried to write poetry himself. Vladislav Khodasevich wrote about his first works: “It came out clumsy and clumsy; neither a verse nor a syllable was given, and there was no one to show it to, no one to ask for advice and guidance.”.

Since 1762, Gabriel Derzhavin served as an ordinary guardsman in the Preobrazhensky Regiment. The poet recalled this time as the most joyless period of his life. He carried out heavy military service, and in rare free moments he wrote poetry. In part, Derzhavin became addicted to cards, he wrote in his autobiography: “I learned conspiracies and all sorts of gamer scams. But, thank God, my mother’s conscience, or better yet, her prayers, never allowed her to indulge in brazen theft or treacherous betrayal.”. Because of his destructive hobby, Derzhavin was once almost demoted to soldier: he was so carried away by the game that he did not return from discharge on time.

Ivan Smirnovsky. Portrait of Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin. 1790

Having decided to end his wild life, Derzhavin moved to St. Petersburg. At this time, the plague was raging in Russia, and at the quarantine outpost - at the entrance to the capital - the poet was forced to burn all his papers: “Everything that I scribbled throughout my youth after almost 20 years, such as: translations from German language and his own writings in prose and poetry. Whether they were good or bad, it is now impossible to say; but among his close friends who read it... they praised him very much.”. Many of the lost poems were later reproduced by Gabriel Derzhavin from memory.

During the Peasant War (1773–1775), Gabriel Derzhavin served on the Volga and worked on the commission to investigate the cases of Emelyan Pugachev’s accomplices. He wrote an “exhortation to the Kalmyks,” in which he called on them to repent and not support peasant unrest. The commander-in-chief of the troops, Alexander Bibikov, sent this message along with a report to Catherine II. Derzhavin's financial situation was difficult, and soon he wrote a letter to the Empress listing his merits. The poet was appointed collegiate adviser and was granted 300 souls. And four years later a book with odes to Derzhavin was published.

Soon, Gabriel Derzhavin married Ekaterina Bastidon, the daughter of the former valet of Peter III and nurse of Paul I. Derzhavin called his wife Plenira - from the word “to captivate” - and dedicated many poems to her. It was during these years that he acquired his own literary style. He wrote philosophical lyrics - odes “On the Death of Prince Meshchersky” (1799), “God” (1784), the poem “Autumn during the Siege of Ochakov” (1788).

“Felitsa” and the first anthem of Russia

Derzhavin published, but he was not very well known in literary circles. Everything changed in 1783, when the poet wrote the ode “Felitsa” with a dedication to Catherine II. The poet took the title from the empress’s pedagogical work, “Tales of Prince Chlorus.” In his poem, the “princess of the Kyrgyz-Kaisak horde” turned into the ideal of an enlightened ruler, the mother of the people. For the ode, Derzhavin was awarded a gold snuffbox studded with diamonds, containing 500 chervonets. And after a loud poetic performance, the poet began to receive high positions. However, Derzhavin’s principled character prevented him from getting along with officials, and he was often transferred from place to place.

“As soon as some injustice or oppression meted out to someone touches his ears or, on the contrary, some feat of philanthropy and good deed - immediately his cap is askew, it comes to life, his eyes sparkle, and the poet turns into an orator, a champion of the truth.”

Stepan Zhikharev

Salvator Tonchi. Portrait of Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin. 1801

In 1784 he was appointed Olonets governor in Petrozavodsk, and in 1785 he was transferred to Tambov. This region was then one of the most backward in the country. Derzhavin built a school, a hospital, an orphanage in Tambov, opened a city theater and the first printing house in the city.

Six years later, the poet went into the service of the Empress personally: he became her cabinet secretary. But since honest Derzhavin reported more “every kind of unpleasant thing, that is, petitions for injustice, rewards for merit and favors due to poverty”, Catherine II tried to contact her assistant as rarely as possible, and soon he was completely transferred to serve in the Senate.

In 1791, Derzhavin created the first anthem of Russia, albeit unofficial. There was a war with Turkey, Russian troops led by Alexander Suvorov took the Izmail fortress. Inspired by this victory, Derzhavin wrote the poem “The Thunder of Victory, Ring Out!” The poem was set to music by composer Osip Kozlovsky. Only 15 years later, “Thunder of Victory” was replaced by the official anthem “God Save the Tsar!”

After the death of his first wife, the poet married a second time - to Daria Dyakova. Derzhavin did not have children in any marriage. The couple took care of the children of a deceased family friend, Pyotr Lazarev. One of his sons, Mikhail Lazarev, became an admiral, discoverer of Antarctica, and governor of Sevastopol. Daria Dyakova’s nieces were also raised in the family.

Under Paul I, Derzhavin served in the Supreme Council, was president of the Commerce Collegium and state treasurer. Under Emperor Alexander I - Minister of Justice of the Russian Empire. All this time the poet continued to write. He created the odes “God”, “Nobleman”, “Waterfall”. In 1803, Gabriel Derzhavin finally left government service.

I didn't know how to pretend
Look like a saint
To inflate yourself with an important dignity,
And the philosopher takes the form...

...I fell, I got up in my age.
Come on, sage! on my coffin there is a stone,
If you're not human.

Gabriel Derzhavin

“Conversation among lovers of the Russian word”

After his resignation, Gabriel Derzhavin devoted himself entirely to literature. He wrote tragedies, comedies and operas for the theater, created poetic translations Racine. The poet also composed fables (“Blind Man’s Bluff”, “Choice of a Minister”), and worked on the treatise “Discourse on Lyric Poetry or an Ode.” “Notes,” as the author called them, contained the theory of versification and examples of poetry from different periods, starting with ancient Greek. In 1812, the poet wrote the fairy tale “The Tsar Maiden”.

Gabriel Derzhavin organized the literary circle “Conversation of Lovers of the Russian Word.” It included writers Dmitry Khvostov, Alexander Shishkov, Alexander Shakhovskoy, Ivan Dmitriev.

“His head was a repository of comparisons, comparisons, maxims and pictures for his future poetic works. He spoke abruptly and not eloquently. But the same man spoke for a long time, sharply and passionately when he recounted some dispute on an important matter in the Senate or about court intrigues, and sat until midnight at the paper when he wrote a vote, conclusion or draft of some government decree. .

Ivan Dmitriev

"Besedchiki" adhered to conservative views on literary creativity, opposed reforms of the Russian language - they were defended by supporters of Nikolai Karamzin. The Karamzinists were the main opponents of Beseda; later they formed the Arzamas society.

Gabriel Derzhavin’s last work was the unfinished poem “The River of Times in its Aspiration...”. In 1816, the poet died on his Novgorod estate Zvanka.

Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin, whose biography is presented below, is a poet, translator, playwright and... governor. The years of his life are 1743-1816. After reading this article, you will learn about all these aspects of the activities of such a multi-talented person as Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin. His biography will be supplemented with many other interesting facts.

Origin

Gabriel Romanovich was born near Kazan in 1743. Here, in the village of Karmachi, there was family estate his family. The future poet spent his childhood there. The family of Derzhavin Gabriel Romanovich was not rich, a noble family. Gabriel Romanovich lost his father early, Roman Nikolaevich, who served as a major. His mother was Fekla Andreevna (maiden name - Kozlova). Interestingly, Derzhavin is a descendant of Bagrim, a Tatar Murza who moved out of the Great Horde in the 15th century.

Study at the gymnasium, service in the regiment

In 1757, Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin entered the Kazan gymnasium. His biography already at this time was marked by diligence and desire for knowledge. He studied well, but failed to complete his studies. The fact is that in February 1762 the future poet was summoned to St. Petersburg. He was assigned to Derzhavin and began serving as an ordinary soldier. He spent 10 years in his regiment, and from 1772 served as an officer. It is known that Derzhavin in 1773-74. took part in the suppression and also in the palace coup, as a result of which Catherine II ascended the throne.

Public and literary fame

Gabriel Romanovich came to public and literary fame in 1782. It was then that his famous ode “Felitsa” appeared, praising the empress. Derzhavin, hot-tempered by nature, often had difficulties in life due to his intemperance. In addition, he had an impatience and zeal for work, which was not always welcomed.

Derzhavin becomes governor of Olonets province

By decree of the empress, the Olonets province was created in 1773. It consisted of one district and two counties. In 1776, the Novgorod governorate was formed, which included two regions - Olonets and Novgorod. Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin became the first governor of Olonets. His biography for many years will be associated with administrative activities in this responsible position. She was legally entrusted with a very wide range of responsibilities. Gabriel Romanovich had to observe how the laws were implemented and how other officials behaved. For Derzhavin, however, this did not present any great difficulties. He believed that restoring order in court and local government depended only on everyone’s conscientious attitude to their work and compliance with the law by officials.

Subordinate institutions already a month after the founding of the province were aware that all persons in the service of the state who violated the law would be severely punished, including deprivation of rank or place. Derzhavin Gabriel Romanovich steadily tried to restore order in his province. The years of his life at this time were marked. However, this only led to conflicts and disagreements with the elite.

Governorship in Tambov province

In December 1785, Catherine II issued a decree appointing Derzhavin to the post of governor of the now Tambov province. He arrived there in 1786.

In Tambov, Gabriel Romanovich found the province in complete disorder. Four chapters have changed in the 6 years of its existence. There was chaos in affairs, the boundaries of the province were not defined. Arrears have reached enormous proportions. There was an acute lack of education in society as a whole, and in particular among the nobility.

Gabriel Romanovich opened arithmetic, grammar, geometry, vocal and dance classes for youth. The theological seminary and garrison school provided very poor knowledge. Gabriel Derzhavin decided to open a public school in the house of Jonah Borodin, a local merchant. Theatrical performances were given in the governor's house, and soon a theater began to be built. Derzhavin did a lot for the Tambov province, we will not list it all. His activities laid the foundation for the development of this region.

Senators Naryshkin and Vorontsov came to audit cases in the Tambov province. The improvement was so obvious that in September 1787 Derzhavin was awarded an honorary award - the Order of Vladimir, third degree.

How Derzhavin was removed from office

However, the progressive activities of Gabriel Romanovich in this post collided with the interests of local nobles and landowners. In addition, I.V. Gudovich, the governor-general, took the side of those close to him in all conflicts, who, in turn, covered up local swindlers and thieves.

Derzhavin attempted to punish Dulov, the landowner who ordered the shepherd boy to be beaten for a minor offense. However, this attempt failed, and hostility towards the governor on the part of the provincial landowners grew stronger. The actions of Gabriel Romanovich to stop the theft of the local merchant Borodin, who deceived the treasury by supplying bricks for construction, and then received a wine payoff on unfavorable terms for the state, also turned out to be futile.

The flow of slander, complaints, and reports against Derzhavin increased. In January 1789 he was removed from his post. His short activity brought great benefit to the province.

Return to the capital, administrative activities

In the same year, Derzhavin returned to the capital. He held various administrative positions here. At the same time, Gabriel Romanovich continued to engage in literature, creating odes (we will tell you more about his work a little later).

Derzhavin was appointed state treasurer under Paul I. However, he did not get along with this ruler, because, according to the habit that had formed in him, Gabriel Romanovich often cursed and was rude in his reports. Alexander I, who replaced Paul, also did not ignore Derzhavin, making him Minister of Justice. However, a year later the poet was relieved of his post because he served “too zealously.” In 1809, Gabriel Romanovich was finally removed from all administrative posts.

Derzhavin's creativity

Russian poetry before Gabriel Romanovich was quite conventional. Derzhavin greatly expanded its themes. Now a variety of works have appeared in poetry, from a solemn ode to a simple song. Also, for the first time in Russian lyric poetry, the image of the author, that is, the personality of the poet himself, arose. Derzhavin believed that art must be based on high truth. Only a poet can explain it. At the same time, art can be an imitation of nature only when it is possible to come closer to comprehending the world, to correcting the morals of people and to studying them. Derzhavin is considered a continuator of the traditions of Sumarokov and Lomonosov. He developed the traditions of Russian classicism in his work.

The purpose of the poet for Derzhavin is to censure bad deeds and glorify the great. For example, in the ode "Felitsa" Gabriel Romanovich glorifies the enlightened monarchy in the person of Catherine II. The fair, intelligent empress is contrasted in this work with the selfish and greedy court nobles.

Derzhavin looked at his talent and his poetry as a weapon given to the poet from above to win political battles. Gabriel Romanovich even compiled a “key” to his works - a detailed commentary that says what events led to the appearance of one or another of them.

The Zvanka estate and the first volume of works

Derzhavin bought the Zvanka estate in 1797 and spent several months there every year. The very next year, the first volume of Gabriel Romanovich’s works appeared. It included poems that immortalized his name: “On the death of Prince Meshchersky,” “On the birth of a porphyry-born youth,” odes “On God,” “Waterfall,” “Nobleman,” “Bullfinch.”

Derzhavin's dramaturgy, participation in a literary circle

After retiring, he devoted his life almost entirely to dramaturgy Derzhavin Gavriil Romanovich. His work in this direction is associated with the creation of several librettos of operas, as well as the following tragedies: “Dark”, “Eupraxia”, “Herod and Mariamne”. Since 1807, the poet took an active part in the activities of the literary circle, from which a society was later formed that gained great fame. It was called "Conversation of lovers of the Russian word." In his work “Discourse on Lyric Poetry or Ode,” Derzhavin Gavriil Romanovich summarized his literary experience. His work greatly influenced the development of artistic literature in our country. Many poets were guided by him.

The death of Derzhavin and the fate of his remains

So, we told you about such a great man as Gabriel Romanovich Derzhavin. Biography, Interesting Facts about him, creative heritage - all this was covered in this article. All that remains to be told is the death of Derzhavin and future fate his remains, which was not easy. Only after this can we consider that a complete biography of Derzhavin Gabriel Romanovich, albeit briefly presented, was presented.

Derzhavin died on his Zvanka estate in 1816. The coffin with his body was sent along the Volkhov on a barge. The poet found his final refuge in the Transfiguration Cathedral near Veliky Novgorod. This cathedral was located on the territory of the Varlaamo-Khutyn Monastery. The wife of Derzhavin Gabriel Romanovich, Daria Alekseevna, was also buried here.

The monastery was destroyed during the Great Patriotic War. Derzhavin's grave was also damaged. The reburial of the remains of Gavriila Romanovich and Daria Alekseevna took place in 1959. They were moved to Novgorod Detinets. In connection with the 250th anniversary of Derzhavin in 1993, the poet’s remains were returned to the Varlaamo-Khutyn Monastery.

It is no coincidence that to this day such a poet as Derzhavin Gabriel Romanovich is taught in schools. His biography and work are important not only from an artistic, but also from an educational point of view. After all, the truths that Derzhavin preached are eternal.

Valentin Kruglov, student of 7 "A" class 288 of the Admiralteysky district school of St. Petersburg

The report of class 7 "A" student V. Kruglov "Literary portraits in G.R. Derzhavin's ode "Felitsa"" presents interesting and informative material concerning famous historical figures from the time of Catherine the Great. This is the Empress Catherine the Great herself, and the most educated woman of the 18th century, Princess Ekaterina Dashkova, and His Serene Highness Prince Grigory Potemkin, and the Russian diplomat Nikolai Panin, and Prince Grigory Orlov, and the famous joker and merry fellow Lev Naryshkin. The literary portraits contained in Derzhavin’s ode have their prototypes and were written by the brilliant poet of the second half of the 18th century with warm irony, satirical license and inimitable charm. From everyday features of private life famous people to their great deeds - this is the range that contains the context of Derzhavin’s ode considered by the speaker. The report was presented at a school conference within the framework of the Pupil Scientific Society "The Beginning of the Path. The Road Can Be Mastered by Those Who Walk", which was held at school 288 in St. Petersburg on December 15, 2016.

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Report to the conference “Glorious Faces of Russia: People and Deeds” by Valentin Kruglova,

Student 7 "A" class GBOSH No. 288 Admiralteysky district of St. Petersburg.

Scientific supervisor: Evdokimov O.V., teacher of Russian language and literature, GBOU school 288 of the Admiralty district of St. Petersburg.

The topic of the report is “Literary portraits in an ode to G.R. Derzhavin "Felitsa".

The ode “Felitsa,” written by Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin in 1782, made the poet’s name famous in St. Petersburg, and therefore in Russia, and became a model of a new style in Russian poetry. Derzhavin's ode glorified Empress Catherine the Second and, with a certain amount of satire, characterized her immediate circle.

It should be noted that writing such poems, which satirically depict the favorites of the Empress, was not a safe matter, but Derzhavin did it at his own peril and risk. Now, with the passage of time, we can say that literary portraits of the Empress’s associates came from the pen of Gabriel Romanovich.

These literary portraits of the glorious, famous people Russia of the second half of the 18th century, created by Derzhavin’s talent, aroused genuine interest of his contemporaries. After all literary heroes were guessed by readers, Catherine's favorites were recognized, and this caused surprise and even delight in the reading public.

For the first time in Russian literature of the last quarter of the 18th century, one could observe how most influential people from the entourage of the Russian queen acquired a poetic appearance similar to the original, and became recognizable literary personalities.

Not only Catherine the Great, but also her closest all-powerful nobles, whom Russia knew and respected, political Europe knew and feared, thanks to Derzhavin’s ode, they suddenly turned out to be such accessible people that every reader could easily notice the features of human weaknesses and virtues, funny habits, image the lives these characters were given. But what was truly amazing for the literature of that time was that the author of the ode himself introduced into its fabric the image of the narrator, that is, himself, and also turned out to be an active literary personality on a par with the powerful heroes of the work. All this was new, unheard of and aroused admiration. The poems were perfectly sonorous, sometimes good-naturedly ironic, and sometimes artistically elegant.

The ode “Felitsa” received its name from the heroine of “The Tale of Prince Chlorus,” which was written by the Empress herself, Catherine the Second.

It must be said that the Russian queen had a literary gift. She is the first woman in Russia who quite professionally composed librettos, fables, fairy tales, wrote them for her royal grandson, the future Emperor Alexander the First, the Blessed - with this title the Tsar will go down in Russian history. Catherine translated the plays of the English playwright William Shakespeare into Russian, being ahead of her contemporaries in paying attention to the English playwright by almost a hundred years. Moreover, the Empress loved the theater and often visited it. She always enjoyed watching talentedly written and talentedly played comedies and tragedies. Moreover, she herself wrote plays that were staged on the stage of the court theater in the Winter Palace. So, in 1771 alone, Catherine wrote 5 comedies. In 1772, these plays were learned by actors and performed on the stage of the court theater. The artistic level of the plays written by Catherine the Great is quite high for its time. The plays were a success and were liked by the public. The name of the author of the plays, of course, was not advertised, although in court circles everyone knew their author well. The plays are edifying, moralizing in nature, written in the spirit of classicism, and ridicule gossip and vices of society. The titles of the plays written by the queen are common nouns and, at times, intriguing:“The Name Day of Mrs. Vorchalkina”, “The Front Hall of a Noble Boyar”, “Mrs. Vestnikova with her Family”, “The Invisible Bride”.Perhaps the most famous play from the pen of the queen is “Oh, Time.” It was she who began to be attacked by the editor of the magazine “Painter” Nikolai Ivanovich Novikov, an educator of the second half of the 18th century, editor of St. Petersburg satirical magazines, who served as a translator at the College of Foreign Affairs. In 1769, Catherine secretly allowed everyone to publish magazines (though, a few years later, she apparently contributed to their closure). The magazines “Truten”, “All sorts of things”, “Pustomelya”, “Painter”, “Wallet” are published. Some magazines are published in large circulation. In “The Drone” and “The Painter,” Novikov’s dispute with the Empress unfolds. Novikov publishes Catherine’s written opinions of a critical nature.

Moreover, Catherine acted as the initiator, organizer and author of the libretto for a pompous national-patriotic project - a “historical action”. This is the play "Oleg's Initial Management". For the play, the queen attracted the best composers, singers and choreographers. The play premiered in St. Petersburg on November 2, 1790. All St. Petersburg performances based on Catherine’s works were extremely richly furnished. The operas “Fevey” and “Gore Bogatyr”, for which the Empress wrote a libretto, as well as the oratorio “Initial Management” were published in clavier and score (which was an extraordinary rarity in Russia at that time).

In a word, the Russian ruler understood literature, published her notes in Novikov’s public journal, composed quite well herself and loved to read fiction different languages.

Obviously, therefore, after reading the ode “Felitsa” dedicated to her, Catherine was moved to tears and began to become interested in the authorworks . She called on her friend, Ekaterina Dashkova, a well-educated, intelligent and faithful woman to the queen, who published this Derzhavin ode in the magazine. Her Majesty said to Dashkova: “Don’t be afraid, I’m just asking you about someone who knew me so closely, who could describe me so correctly, that you see that I’m crying like a fool here?” Princess Dashkova revealed the name of the poet. Catherine the Second was grateful to the poet. It was important for her that her poetic image in the ode was good, simple and charming. After some time, Derzhavin received a generous reward by mail: 500 gold chervonets and a cigarette case sprinkled with diamonds. In addition, the author of “Felitsa” had the honor of being introduced to the Empress herself, who favored him by making Derzhavin her secretary.

It should be said that the ode “Felitsa” deviates from the rules of classicism. Derzhavin innovatively mixed different genres, painted satirical images that were not typical for the ode genre. The poet in his work draws the first realistic portraits of his contemporaries and creates, in fact, an ideal image of the Russian Empress, describing her special behavior and habits that were not distinguished by her contemporaries:

“ Without imitating your Murzas,
You often walk
And the food is the simplest
Happens at your table;
Not valuing your peace,
You read and write in front of the lectern
And all from your pen
Shedding bliss to mortals”.

In fact, the Russian Tsarina could be seen walking near the Winter Palace. There were times when she slowly walked along Palace Square or the streets surrounding the Palace. There was no one next to the Empress - no guards, no ladies-in-waiting, or any fellow traveler accompanying Her Imperial Majesty. Everything was simple, ordinary, discreet, as it happens with an inconspicuous person living his personal, private life. This is what Catherine did when she had a headache and left the Palace to get some fresh air. The subjects who met and recognized Her Imperial Majesty stopped. The ladies curtsied, the gentlemen bowed and took off their hats.The line of the ode “Often you walk on foot” reflects a realistic situation.Without a doubt, Derzhavin knew this habit of the Empress’s lonely walks.

Derzhavin’s lines “And the simplest food // Happens at your table” are just as true.The fact is that on fasting days, Catherine the Great ate very modestly. During lunch on such days, there were only 4-5 people at her table, with whom the queen discussed various state affairs, political news, and had simple human communication. There were 5-6 dishes on the table, sometimes not very well prepared. Her old but faithful cook sometimes could not keep track of the porridge, and it would burn. Catherine endured this for quite a long time, and apologized to her guests for his mistake. Sour cabbage soup, porridge, cucumbers, sauerkraut, mushrooms, bread... this is on fast days. But on ordinary, frugal days, the Empress’s table was rich. There were dishes on the table: andturkeys with scio, terrines with wings and green puree, ducks with juice, chicken marinade, perches with ham, poulards with truffles, hazel grouse in Spanish, turtles, chiryata with olives, gateau Compiegne, twelve salads, seven sauces, tartlets.And here is the menu for the Empress’s “small” lunch: soup; boiled chicken with cauliflower; meat and potatoes; a quarter of roast lamb, duck and snipe (on one dish). In addition, on the table there was always boiled beef, cutlets, sausages, lobsters, as well as various side dishes of stewed and fried mushrooms and vegetables. The Empress washed down her lunch with currant vodka. For dessert they served oranges, apples, peaches, cherries, puff pastries and biscuits.

However, Derzhavin, adhering to decency, decided to describe Catherine’s dinner in the simplest, most modest colors:“And the simplest food // Happens at your table.” This is what I liked about the ode to the Russian Autocrat.

“You read, you write in front of the lectern // And from your pen to everyone // You shed bliss to mortals”, - here the poet, of course, spoke not only about Catherine’s literary activities, but also about her extensive legislative activity. After all, shebelonged to a small number of monarchs who communicated intensively and directly with their subjects by drafting manifestos, instructions, laws, polemical articles and pedagogical opuses. In her memoirs, Catherine admitted: “I cannot see a clean pen without feeling the desire to immediately dip it in ink.”

In addition to the image of the Empress, Derzhavin’s ode “Felitsa” contains literary portraits of her favorites. In itself, this idea to describe a ruler, a commander, a nobleman was not new, but behind the images of nobles drawn in the ode, features clearly emerged real people. And in this Derzhavin was an innovator.

For example, the ode mentions Prince Grigory Alexandrovich Potemkin, the Empress’s favorite.He fought a lot and successfully. However, in his free time from government affairs, he loved to spend his days in feasts and amusements, whichloved it very much. Potemkin, this outstanding associate of Catherine the Great, was not only a responsible, gifted, efficient and hardworking person, but, at the same time, he could demonstrate the opposite qualities of a man spoiled by power and luxury. Thus, it is known that Grigory Aleksandrovich Potemkin could not adhere to the clear routine necessary for a statesman, but sometimes acted according to his momentary whims and fancies, which Derzhavin noticed and wrote about in his ode “Felitsa”. Speaking in the first person, Derzhavin speaks on behalf of Potemkin. That is, in the ode, it’s as if Potemkin himself talks about himself, about his life and pastime:

And I, having slept until noon,

I smoke tobacco and drink coffee;

Transforming everyday life into a holiday,

My thoughts are spinning in chimeras:

Then I steal captivity from the Persians,

Then I direct arrows towards the Turks;

Then, having dreamed that I was a sultan,

I terrify the universe with my gaze;

Then suddenly, seduced by the outfit,

I'm off to the tailor for a caftan.

Or am I at a rich feast,

Where do they give me a holiday?

Where the table glitters with silver and gold,

Where are thousands of different dishes:

IN Derzhavin's ode mentions another famous Catherine nobleman - Nikita Ivanovich Panin. Panin appearedmentor of the heir to the throne, Paul the First.The French diplomat Lavoe hardly had a good relationship with Panin, so he rather angrily described the daily routine of the Tsar’s minister. Here is this note from a French diplomat, which is more like a lampoon: “He was very fond of food, women and games; from constant eating and sleeping, his body was one mass of fat. He got up at noon; his associates told him funny things until one o'clock; then he drank chocolate and began to take the toilet, which lasted up to three hours. Around half past four, lunch was served, which lasted until five o'clock. At six the minister went to rest and slept until eight. It took a lot of work for his lackeys to wake him up, get him up and keep him on his feet. After the second toilet, the game began, ending around eleven. The game was followed by dinner, and after dinner the game began again. At about three o'clock in the morning the minister went to his room and worked with Bakunin, the main official of his department. He usually went to bed at five o’clock in the morning.”

Nikita Ivanovich was a great fan of hound hunting, because of which, it happened, he forgot about state affairs. The author of the ode satirically depicts these features of Panin’s service in his ode:

“Or, taking care of all matters
I leave and go hunting
And amused by the barking of dogs.”

It is difficult to say whether Panin himself liked the satirical portrayal of himself, but the public, reading the ode “Felitsa,” found Panin’s literary portrait too lively and believable.

• Alexey Grigorievich Orlov, an associate of Catherine. He was endowed with great physical strength and loved various games that required agility, such as fist fights, fights, dancing, racing and hunting one on one with a bear, but for a nobleman these were too undignified and rude fun. The image of Alexey is noticeable in these lines:

“Or music and singers,

Suddenly with an organ and bagpipes,

Or fist fighters

And I make my spirit happy by dancing.”

• Lev Aleksandrovich Naryshkin was the second cousin of Emperor Peter the Great, but only took the position of senior stable manager. He is a well-known joker and slacker at court. Naryshkin was distinguished by his extraordinary hospitality and love to host noisy balls, masquerades and picnics. One of the masquerades given by Naryshkin for Catherine II in 1772 cost him 300,000 rubles. Hehe loved to ride along the Neva at night, accompanied by a whole orchestra of musicians with horn instruments, which is why ordinary people could only dream of peace and quiet in the capital. It can be seen in these lines:

“Or over the Neva banks
I amuse myself with horns at night
And the rowing of daring rowers.”

Catherine sent out separate copies of the ode to EACH of the nobles affected there, emphasizing those lines that applied to them. Many of these nobles took part in the palace coup of 1762 on Catherine’s side. Almost all of these nobles did a lot for the state, although in their ode Derzhavin was shown satirically and with a great deal of irony. For example:

• Grigory Aleksandrovich Potemkin was a Russian statesman, the creator of the Black Sea military fleet in Crimea (thanks to which Russian empire greatly increased its influence in the Black Sea and gained access to the Mediterranean Sea). After the victory over Turkey, through his efforts, Crimea was annexed to Russia. Grigory Potemkin became the first commander-in-chief of the highest rank black sea fleet and by order of Catherine the Great, he was also a builder of cities in the south of Russia, for example, Ekaterinoslavl, Kherson, Sevastopol, Nikolaev. Potemkin became the first owner of the Tauride Palace in St. Petersburg. He was the de facto ruler of the Principality of Moldova from 1790 to 1791.Potemkin also introduced a reform military uniform, which before was very inconvenient and was mainly for military inspections, did not have a summer type, which is why they walked in the heat in two woolen uniforms, and the new one was lighter and more comfortable, and in the summer the army wore jackets and trousers made of light, white canvases.

The new uniform was also quite nice, just like the old one

• Nikita Ivanovich Panin,head of the Russian foreign policy in the first half of the reign of Catherine II. Count Panin was one of the most educated Russian people of his time. Catherine called him encyclopedia . He was interested in a wide variety of issues in the field state knowledge and was familiar with many classic works of philosophical literature. It was the Russian diplomat who developed the agreement, which was a plan for the union of such northern powers as Russia, Prussia, Sweden, as well as the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, which was the kingdom of the Polish and Lithuanian principalities. The northern chord, according to Panin, was supposed to exalt the prestige and importance of Russia, to create an alliance of all the northern powers around it. After palace coup In 1762, he made an attempt to limit monarchical power by presenting to the Empress a project for the establishment of the Imperial Council and the reform of the Senate. In the introduction to the project, Panin sharply criticized the arbitrariness prevailing in the administration and proposed the establishment of a Council of 6-8 ministerial members; all papers that require the signature of the sovereign had to go through this council and be certified by one of the ministers. Of course, the project was rejected by the empress, but after that Panin did not lose his positions.

• Alexey Grigorievich Orlovforced the emperor Peter III sign the act of abdication and arranged his murder, for which he received the rank of major general. Orlov did not receive good education and upbringing, he did not know foreign languages, and his bad manners were shocking, but despite this, he was interested in science, patronized Mikhail Vasilyevich Lomonosov and Denis Ivanovich Fonvizin, and corresponded with Jacques-Jacques Rousseau. He was one of the founders of the first scientific society called the Imperial Free Economic Society and its first elected chairman.
• During the palace coup, Lev Aleksandrovich Naryshkin was a supporter of Peter the Third, which is why he was arrested, but a little later, during the coronation of Catherine the Second, he was released and appointed senior head of the stable, and before that he was simply the head of the stable.