Ivan

e-van', the name of several rulers of Russia. Ivan IV (1529-1584), commonly known as Ivan the Terrible, laid the foundations of the Russian Empire. He enlarged the boundaries of Russia and annexed Siberia. During his reign a printing press was set up in Moscow, but the printers were obliged to flee for their lives. He was a tyrannical man. He killed his own son in a fit of passion. His name is not a pleasant one, but he did much for his country. See Elizabeth; Peter; Russia