Russian statesman and political mentor to Catherine the Grea
1718 CE
to 1783 CE
Count Nikita Ivanovich Panin (September 29 [O.S. September 18] 1718 – April 11 [O.S. March 31] 1783) is an influential Russian statesman and political mentor to Catherine the Great for the first eighteen years of her reign.
In this role, he advocates the Northern Alliance, closer ties with Frederick the Great of Prussia and the establishment of an advisory privy council.
His staunch opposition to the partitions of Poland leads to his being replaced by the more compliant Prince Bezborodko.