Vasily Vladimirovich Dolgorukov
Life
Life
----

Son of a [boyar](/wiki/Boyar "Boyar"), Vasili Dolgorukov was, starting from 1685, a [stolnik](/wiki/Stolnik "Stolnik") at the royal court. He was then enlisted in the [Preobrazhensky regiment](/wiki/Preobrazhensky_regiment "Preobrazhensky regiment") in 1700, starting his true military career.

Serving in the Preobrazhensky regiment, he took part in Russian Northern Wars and distinguished himself during the siege of [Mitava](/wiki/Mitava "Mitava") in 1705\. In 1706, he was transferred to [Ukraine](/wiki/Ukraine "Ukraine"), where he was under the command of [Ivan Mazepa](/wiki/Ivan_Mazepa "Ivan Mazepa"), where he distinguished himself in 1707–1708 during the squelching of the [Bulavin Rebellion](/wiki/Bulavin_Rebellion "Bulavin Rebellion"). During the [Battle of Poltava](/wiki/Battle_of_Poltava "Battle of Poltava") he was the commander of the [reserve](/wiki/Military_reserves "Military reserves") [cavalry](/wiki/Cavalry "Cavalry") force. In 1715, he was sent to Poland as a represent of Peter (who was ill at that time), where he concluded, in 1716, a pact with [Danzig](/wiki/Danzig "Danzig"), forcing the city into an anti\-Swedish policy. He also accompanied [Peter the Great](/wiki/Peter_the_Great "Peter the Great") during his foreign travels in 1717 and 1718\.

Despite being a favorite of [Peter the Great](/wiki/Peter_the_Great "Peter the Great"), Dolgorukov disapproved a number of Peter's reforms, and eventually became a [partisan](/wiki/Partisan_%28political%29 "Partisan (political)") of [tsarevich Alexei Petrovich](/wiki/Tsarevich_Alexei_Petrovich_of_Russia "Tsarevich Alexei Petrovich of Russia"). In 1718, following Alexei's trial and death, Dolgorukov reproached Peter such a violent behavior towards his own son. Dolgorukov was tried, demoted and exiled to [Solikamsk](/wiki/Solikamsk "Solikamsk").

Following [Catherine I's](/wiki/Catherine_I_of_Russia "Catherine I of Russia") [coronation](/wiki/Coronation "Coronation") on 7 May 1724\. Dolgorukov was brought back from his exile and given the rank of colonel and then [brigadier](/wiki/Brigadier "Brigadier"). In 1726, he was appointed commander\-in\-chief of Caucasus forces. In 1728, as an ultimate consecration of his military career, he was promoted [field marshal](/wiki/Field_marshal "Field marshal") and member of the [Supreme Privy Council](/wiki/Supreme_Privy_Council "Supreme Privy Council").

After [Anna Ioanovna's](/wiki/Anna_of_Russia "Anna of Russia") coronation in 1730, Dolgoroukov was appointed to [Senate](/wiki/Governing_Senate "Governing Senate") and made president of [College of War](/wiki/College_of_War "College of War"). However, reportedly made insulting remarks regarding persecutions staged by Anna against his family. In 1731, after a complex plot, he was accused of insulting remarks regarding the Empress and sentenced to death. His sentence was changed to [life imprisonment](/wiki/Life_imprisonment "Life imprisonment") first in [Schlisselburg](/wiki/Schlisselburg "Schlisselburg") fortress, then in [Ivangorod](/wiki/Ivangorod "Ivangorod") in 1737, and finally he was exiled for life to the [Solovetsky Monastery](/wiki/Solovetsky_Monastery "Solovetsky Monastery") in 1739\.

In December 1741, following [Elizabeth's](/wiki/Elizabeth_of_Russia "Elizabeth of Russia") coronation, Dorgorukov was brought back from his exile and fully rehabilitated. Elizabeth named him president of the [College of War](/wiki/College_of_War "College of War"), a rank that he assumed until his death. While serving in the War College, Dolgoroukov made significant improvements regarding the organization and logistics of Russian military.


Who was Vasili Dolgorukov?