Catherine II, or Catherine the Great, empress of Russia (1762-96), did much to transform Russia into a modern country. Originally named Sophie Fredericke Augusta, she was born in Stettin (now Szczecin, Poland), on May 2, 1729, the daughter of the German prince of Anhalt-Zerbst. At the age of 15 she went to Russia to become the wife of Peter, nephew and heir of Empress ELIZABETH. Elizabeth died on Dec. 25, 1761, and Catherine's husband succeeded as PETER III. The new …showed first 75 words of 737 total…

…showed last 75 words of 737 total…modern Russian society was organized and its culture had struck firm roots. Russia was also playing a determining role in world affairs. Bibliography: Alexander, John T., Catherine the Great: Life and Legend (1989); Cronin, Vincent, Catherine, Empress of All the Russians (1978); Grey, Ian, Catherine the Great (1961; repr. 1975); Maroger, Dominique, ed., Memoirs of Catherine the Great, trans. by M. Budberg (1961); Oldenbourg, Zoe, Catherine the Great, trans. by Anne Carter (1965); Raeff, Marc, ed., Catherine the Great: A Profile (1972).