Elizabeth

(born Dec. 18, 1709, Kolomenskoye, near Moscow, Russia—died Dec. 25, 1761, St. Petersburg) Empress of Russia (1741–61).

Daughter of Peter I and Catherine I, she was proclaimed empress after staging a coup d'état and arresting Ivan VI, his mother, and their chief advisers. She encouraged the development of education and art and left control of most state affairs to her advisers and favorites. Her reign was characterized by court intrigues, a deteriorating financial situation, and the gentry's acquisition of privileges at the expense of the peasantry. However, Russia's prestige as a major European power grew. Russia adhered to a pro-Austrian, anti-Prussian foreign policy, annexed a portion of southern Finland after fighting a war with Sweden, improved its relations with Britain, and fought Prussia in the Seven Years' War. Elizabeth was succeeded by her nephew Peter III.