Peter Ivanovich Shuvalov

Peter Ivanovich Shuvalov was a Russian statesman and general who paved the way for the elevation of his family to the highest positions in the Russian Empire. Being an ordinary page at the court of Empress Elizabeth, he gained influence with empress by marrying her closest friend, Mavra Shepeleva. For support that he provided to Elizabeth during his ascension to the throne, Shuvalov has been promoted to count in 1746 and senator. In the following period he played an active role in the internal policy controlling almost all aspects of national economy and military organization. He improved the Russian artillery which was generally obsolete and built factories for weapon production. Using his influence on the Empress, he obtained an exclusive right to export lumber, lard, blubber oil and have monopolized the seal trade. Peter Ivanovich Shuvalov fell ill at the end of 1761 and died soon afterwards.