Potemkin
GREGORY ALEXAN- DROVITCH, a Russian general, a favorite of the Empress Catharine II.; born in September, 1736; descended from an ancient Polish family, and early trained to the military profession. From 1776 till his death, he exercised a boundless sway over the destinies of the empire.
In 1783 he suppressed the khanate of the Crimea, and annexed it to Russia. In 1787, being desirous of expelling the Turks from Europe, he stirred up a new war, in the course of which he took Oczakoff (1788). In the following year he took Bender, but as the finances of Russia were now exhausted Catharine was desirous of peace. Potemkin, however, resolved on conquering Constantinople, and went to St. Petersburg to win over the empress to his side (March, 1791); but during his absence Catharine sent plenary powers to Prince Repnin, who signed a treaty of peace. Potemkin died in Nicolaieff, Oct. 16, 1791.