Biography of Count Sheremetyev. Shermetyevs

On July 9 (June 28, old style), 1751, Nikolai Petrovich Sheremetev (Sheremetyev) was born - a representative of one of the most noble Russian families, the son of Count Pyotr Borisovich Sheremetev, a highly educated courtier, favorite of Paul I, chief marshal of the highest court. He married the serf actress Praskovya Kovaleva-Zhemchugova, and in memory of her he built the Hospice House in Moscow (now the building of the N.V. Sklifosofsky Research Institute of Emergency Medicine). Entered the history of Russian culture as an extraordinary theatrical figure, patron of the arts, collector, musician, philanthropist and philanthropist.

Nikolai Sheremetev's father, Count Pyotr Borisovich Sheremetev, was also famous for his love of art, music and theatrical productions. He had large collection paintings and objects of art, his own home theater, which was also visited by royalty as spectators. Sheremetev Jr. was raised from childhood at the court of Catherine II, together with the future Emperor Paul I. Being a childhood playmate, he remained friends with the heir for life, and thanks to this, he subsequently had many privileges, but also suffered from the whims of this unbalanced man . Nikolai Sheremetev was one of the last to see Paul I alive on the eve of the murder (he shared his last dinner with him in the Mikhailovsky Castle) and subsequently sincerely grieved over his death.

Since childhood, young Sheremetev performed in home theater father. At the age of 14, he performed the role of the god Hyminaeus, which had previously been performed by Tsarevich Pavel.

In 1769, the young Count Sheremetev went to get an education in one of the most prestigious educational institutions– Leiden University in Holland. In addition to his studies, he masters theater, stage, decorative and ballet arts, moves in the highest circles of European society, and gets acquainted with Mozart and Handel. Count Sheremetev was introduced to the courts of England, France and Prussia. Among his talents there is also a professional game on such musical instruments, like violin, cello, piano. He knew how to read scores, conduct an orchestra, and in his youth dreamed of being a conductor.

Catherine II, as you know, did not favor people close to the heir Pavel Petrovich. Fearing the new palace coup, the empress sought to remove from the court those nobles whom Paul could trust and whose support he could count on in his desire to create opposition to the sovereign mother. Therefore, upon returning to Russia, Nikolai Sheremetev immediately received the position of director of the Moscow Bank and “settled” away from St. Petersburg - in provincial, patriarchal Moscow.

However, this did not upset the count at all. A faithful admirer of Melpomene, he immediately launched the construction of a new theater on his Kuskovo estate near Moscow. The extension to the Sheremetev house on Nikolskaya Street, where the serf theater of Pyotr Borisovich was previously located, turned out to be small for the grandiose plans of his heir. Initially, performances were given on two stages: on Nikolskaya and in Kuskovo, but soon Nikolai Petrovich completely moved to the estate. In Kuskovo he created a theater that none of the famous serf theaters of that time could compete with. The Sheremetev Theater was distinguished by correctly selected scenery, an excellent orchestra and, of course, actors. Nikolai Petrovich replenishes the troupe of serfs hastily recruited by his father with new “folk” talents. He sends his actors for training to artists of the Petrovsky Theater specially assigned for this purpose. Many actors undergo training in Moscow and St. Petersburg, receiving the most versatile education with the money of the master-philanthropist: in addition to performing arts, vocal and music lessons, they study foreign languages, literature, poetry. Sheremetev himself creates his own theater orchestra, buys rich scenery, orders costumes, and invites the best musicians.

Kuskovo estate. Castle.

The new Kuskovsky Theater was officially opened in 1787 and enjoyed enormous popularity. All the nobility of Moscow came to his performances, and high-ranking spectators from St. Petersburg specially arrived for some performances. The owners of private theaters complained to the mayor that Count Sheremetev (already a rich man) was taking away their audience for his own amusement. But for Sheremetev the theater was not fun. The theatrical business gradually turned into the work of his whole life.

In addition to music and theater, Nikolai Petrovich was known as famous expert architecture. Over the course of two decades, a theater and palace complex in Ostankino, theater buildings in Kuskovo and Markovo, houses in Pavlovsk and Gatchina, the Champetre manor, the Fountain House in St. Petersburg and the Hospice House in Moscow were built with his funds. No less important is the role of Sheremetev in the construction of churches: the Church of the Sign of the Mother of God in the Novospassky Monastery, the Trinity Church at the Hospice House, the temple in the name of Dmitry of Rostov in Rostov the Great and others.

The Count’s ability to not chase after fashionable European architects and artists, but to discover talents in his serfs, is striking. The famous building of the theater and palace complex in Ostankino was built by serf architects Count A. Mironov and P. Argunov according to the designs of Camporesi, Brenna and Starov.

The artist N. Argunov subsequently immortalized the memory of Sheremetev by painting portraits of himself and Praskovya Kovaleva (Zhemchugova). By the way, one of the Sheremetevs’ serf talents was violin maker I. A. Batov, whose instruments are rightfully compared to the works of such masters as Guarneri and Stradivari.

The palace in Ostankino was opened in the summer of 1795. The premiere took place on July 22. The heroic opera “The Capture of Ishmael” was prepared for the opening. Sheremetev's troupe becomes the best among serfs at that time, eclipsing even famous theater Count Vorontsov. The original layout of the Ostankino Theater hall made it easy (literally within an hour) to transform it into a ballroom. Today, the Ostankino Theater is the only theater in Russia that has preserved the stage technique of the 18th century - the stage, auditorium, make-up rooms and part of the engine room mechanisms. In terms of its acoustic qualities, it is the best hall Moscow.

In 1796, significant changes occurred in the biography of Count Sheremetev. His childhood friend, Paul I, ascends the throne. Nikolai Petrovich instantly becomes chief marshal and one of the most influential people in the country. They say that the first order of the newly-minted emperor was the order to urgently find and return to the court his confidant, Count Nikolai Sheremetyev. And I must say, Nikolai Petrovich was not pleased with this turn of fortune. By nature, he was a kind Moscow gentleman - a theatergoer, a hospitable person, a contemplator. He served, but did not try to make a career and did not like fuss as a courtier. And then he again turned into a toy in the hands of a wayward and eccentric autocrat, he found himself literally chained to the banks of the Neva, unable to do what he loved, come to Ostankino and Kuskovo, stage new performances, or personally control his troupe. Only in 1799 Sheremetev was appointed director imperial theaters, and then director of the Corps of Pages. Favors and honors rained down on the courtier as if from a cornucopia. For his many-sided activities at court, the count was awarded Russian and foreign orders more than once; he was granted titles, estates, and various privileges. But Nikolai Petrovich did not crave honors and glory from his sovereign. Paradoxically, the most ardent desire of the imperial favorite during these years was to arrange his personal and family life...

Count Nikolai Petrovich Sheremetev glorified his name also known throughout the world love story, in which he acted as a handsome but unhappy prince. After all, the love of his life - the serf actress Praskovya Kovaleva (on stage - Zhemchugova) - in all respects, was listed as a “Cinderella”...

She received the surname Zhemchugov at the whim of Nikolai Petrovich himself. Looking for precious talents among the crowds of serf children, the count preferred to call them accordingly: Granatova, Almazov, Biryuzova...

In fact, Praskovya was the daughter of a hunchbacked blacksmith - a “farrier”, and she came to the count’s theater at the age of seven, Parashka Kovaleva. The vocal girl was noticed by Sheremetev’s relative, Princess Marfa Mikhailovna Dolgorukaya, who took her as a pupil and gave the serf a good education. Parasha knew Italian and French, took singing lessons from the best masters, knew how to play the harp and harpsichord. Already at the age of 13, she shone on stage, performing the deeply touching role of Louise from Seden's drama The Runaway Soldier. From the age of 16, Kovaleva-Zhemchugova was deservedly considered the prima of the Sheremetev Theater, hypnotizing audiences with her soulful dramatic acting, unusual for such a young girl, and her flexible lyric-dramatic soprano. Zhemchugova easily transformed from a tragic heroine into a comedic talker, or into a young page - her slender, fragile figure allowed her to do this. And she always received a standing ovation. Count Sheremetev, as soon as he saw Praskovya on stage, fell madly in love with her.

Despite the protests of his relatives, Nikolai Petrovich made a vow: if he cannot marry his beloved, then he will not marry anyone. After his father’s death, he openly moved to a house specially built for Praskovya in Kuskovsky Park. Everyone knew about their relationship - in those days, landowners falling in love with young serfs did not surprise anyone. However, after his unexpected rise at court, Count Sheremetev had to change his “village” lifestyle. Together with Zhemchugova, he moved to the capital, and high society became agitated. Nikolai Petrovich was already 45 years old, he was single, and besides, he was fabulously rich and handsome. Many beauties of noble families burned with envy and hatred of the poor serf actress. After all, such a promising groom was leaving their hands! It was in Kuskovo that Praskovya Zhemchugova was elevated to Olympus - in prudent Petersburg, where connections and origin ruled the ball, the world spoke of her only as a courtyard girl.

The Count was terribly burdened by the awareness of guilt before his beloved. He more than once turned to Paul I with a request to allow, as an exception, an official marriage with Zhemchugova. The Emperor did not directly refuse Sheremetev, but looked at his favorite’s relationship with the actress as a strange eccentricity. He sincerely admired Praskovya’s performance on stage, but did not allow him to create a precedent by placing the actress, the daughter of a serf blacksmith, on a par with representatives of noble families.

The northern winds of St. Petersburg and constant travel from the capital to Moscow and back soon undermined the actress’s health. Praskovya caught a cold and lost her magnificent voice. In addition, her hereditary tuberculosis worsened. Having long ago received her freedom from the count, Zhemchugova lived in St. Petersburg as a simple kept woman - and the bitterness of this situation killed her.

Only after the death of Paul I did Count Nikolai Petrovich decide to use the trick of forging documents. He composes a legend about the origin of Praskovya Ivanovna Kovaleva from the family of Polish nobles Kovalevsky, who allegedly once lived on his estate Kuskovo. In 1801, fifty-year-old Count Sheremetev received from the young Emperor Alexander I a truly royal gift - a special edict that gave him the right to marry the Polish noblewoman Paraskeva Kovalevskaya. Perhaps there was some blackmail here: Count Sheremetev could not have been unaware of the impending conspiracy against Paul I, as well as the participation of the heir himself in it. Sheremetev did not participate in the conspiracy, but he did not warn Pavel about the danger that threatened him, although he was almost the last person to speak to him on the eve of the murder. Having actually betrayed his sovereign and benefactor, the chief marshal most likely counted on the gratitude of Alexander I. He soon received it.

The lovers secretly got married on November 8, 1801. According to the Sheremetev family legend, the ceremony took place in the Moscow Church of Simeon the Stylite on Povarskaya Street. Only recently was a record of a wedding found in the church register of the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, which once stood on Sapozhkovskaya Square near the Trinity Gate of the Kremlin. There, most likely, the sacrament of this marriage took place.

Nikolai Petrovich did not tell anyone, not even his own brothers and sisters, that he was married. Despite the imperial approval, Praskovya Sheremeteva would not have been accepted in high society - the title of actress was no better than the status of a former serf, because at that time they even buried actors behind the cemetery fence.

In 1803, a son, Count Dmitry, was born into the Sheremetev family. Naturally, such an unforeseen turn stunned all the greedy relatives, who happily accepted the fact that Nikolai Petrovich would no longer leave behind a direct heir. “Our eldest relative is an excellent thing,” Anna Semenovna Sheremeteva, one of the contenders for Count Nikolai Petrovich’s considerable inheritance, angrily remarked in her memoirs.

With his marriage, Sheremetev finally secured for himself the title of madman, which he had been awarded for his entire life. But that didn't bother him anymore. Twenty days after the birth of her son, Praskovya Sheremeteva-Zhemchugova also died.

The count's life lost its meaning. In 1804, he finally dissolved his serf theater and became involved in charity work.

In memory of his wife, Sheremetev founded the Hospice House (almshouse) in Moscow (now the building of the Moscow Institute of Emergency Medicine named after N.V. Sklifosovsky).

The count began building the orphanage building back in 1792. The place near the Sukharev Tower was called Cherkasy Gardens and once belonged to his mother. The construction of the building was initially undertaken by the architect Elevzoy Nazarov, one of the Sheremetev serfs and a student of Bazhenov. But after the death of Praskovya Zhemchugova, the great architect Giacomo Quarenghi completed the project - big fan creativity of the late actress. Under his brilliant pencil, a marvelous church rotunda, a high white colonnade, and the confident span of the palace wings were born. Outside is a palace; inside is a refuge for the sick, homeless, and crippled. The house consisted of a hospital for 50 “suffering from illnesses”, an almshouse for 100 “those in need” (50 men and 50 women) and a shelter for 25 orphan girls. A library was also established with reading room. In the side galleries there are chambers for the infirm, and at the top there is a special section for the poor who had no means of subsistence and lived here dependent on this house.

Having spent a huge capital on the construction of the building - more than one and a half million rubles, Sheremetev put another 500 thousand rubles for the maintenance of the almshouse and bequeathed to it “for eternity” the village of Molodoy Tud with villages in the Tver province - eight thousand souls. From these funds it was necessary to feed and care for those in need, help families in trouble, and give dowries to poor brides. The dowry was awarded every year - February 23, the day of the death of Countess Praskovya Ivanovna.

Then, beyond the count’s earthly life, the wounded will be treated in the Hospice House - the heroes of 1812, the battles of Shipka and Plevna, the defenders of Port Arthur.

The building of the Sheremetev Hospice House is considered a masterpiece of Russian architecture, an excellent example of Russian classicism late XVIII- XIX centuries. This is the only charitable institution in Russia that was built and maintained at the expense of one private individual.

Nikolai Petrovich survived his wife by only six years. Last years he spent in St. Petersburg, in his palace on the Fontanka (Fountain House). Died on January 1, 1809. The count was buried next to his wife, in the Sheremetev tomb of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, in a simple plank coffin - Count Sheremetev bequeathed to distribute all the money allocated for the rich funeral of the highest persons to the poor.

“I had everything in life. Fame, wealth, luxury. But I did not find peace in any of this. Remember that life is fleeting, and only good deeds can we take with us beyond the doors of the coffin.”- it is said in his will to his son.

The son of Nikolai Petrovich Sheremetev, Dmitry Nikolaevich, not only continued the traditions of patronage established by his father, but also developed them many times over. In his time, the saying “live on Sheremetev’s account” appeared among the people, since the count, being the trustee of the Hospice House, spent huge sums not only on it, but also on other institutions. At the expense of Count Sheremetev, Moscow churches, monasteries, gymnasiums, orphanages and, partly, St. Petersburg University existed. The count's help played a decisive role in the transformation of the Lazarus Church in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra. Throughout his life, Dmitry Nikolaevich provided financial support to artists, singers and musicians, often donating the halls of the Fountain House in St. Petersburg to the workshops of both famous and unknown painters.

The grandchildren of Nikolai Petrovich - the eldest son of Dmitry Nikolaevich Sergei and the youngest son Alexander - also became famous philanthropists. Sergei Dmitrievich Sheremetev was prominent statesman, collector and historian, and was also a member of many societies, including the Russian Society for the Protection of Animals.

Count Alexander Dmitrievich Sheremetev (1859-1931) founded a private orchestra in 1882, with which he began giving public (public) symphony concerts in 1898. In 1908, he donated 20 thousand gold rubles to establish a scholarship to N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. On his initiative, memorial plaques to Alexander Dargomyzhsky, Mily Balakirev, Alexander Serov and Modest Mussorgsky were installed in St. Petersburg, and an all-Russian fundraiser was held for the monument to Tchaikovsky. Since 1910, public concerts of the Sheremetev Orchestra have become free. They were attended mainly by low-income audiences - those that later made up the audience of the Leningrad Philharmonic, the Opera and Ballet Theater. Kirov, MALEGOTA.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Sheremetev family still remained the richest in Russia, but 1917 happened. The youngest grandson of the famous philanthropist N.P. Sheremetev - Alexander Dmitrievich - ended up in Europe, where he decided to wait " Time of Troubles", like many other Russian aristocrats. The wait dragged on; he never returned to Russia. Abroad, the representative of the richest Sheremetev family had nothing to live on. The grandson of a man whose wealth at one time exceeded that of the Emperor, ended his days in France in a shelter for poor Russian emigrants and was buried in common grave, for lack of funds for a more dignified burial. Alas, this is how the glory of the world passes away!

Motto noble family Sheremetev said: “God preserves everything.” But today only archival documents make it possible to reconstruct the events of two centuries ago and pay tribute to people driven by noble ideas of enlightening society, helping the unfortunate and disadvantaged. Representatives of the count branch of the ancient Sheremetev family in highest degree there was an inherent need for selfless service to national culture - as a creation of good, noble deeds that compatriots and descendants would be proud of.

Patron of the arts, founder of the Hospice House in Moscow, count, senator, chief chamberlain of the court.

Origin and service.

The future patron of the arts was born into the noble family of Count Pyotr Borisovich Sheremetev and Varvara Alekseevna, née Princess Cherkassy. He was enrolled in the Preobrazhensky Regiment as an infant and, with the rank of lieutenant, in 1768 he transferred to the court service as a chamber cadet. Got shiny home education and continued it with a four-year trip abroad: in 1771-1772 he traveled and visited theaters in England, Holland, Switzerland, studied at Leiden University in Holland, and studied cello in France. During the reign of Empress Catherine II, he was director of the Moscow Noble Bank for ten years. And in 1784 he was elected leader of the Moscow district nobility. Received the rank of senator in 1786. On June 28, 1794, Count Sheremetev was awarded the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky. Paul I, who ascended the throne, made Count Nikolai Sheremetev commander of the Order of Malta in 1797 and chief chamberlain in 1798 and appointed director of theatrical performances.

Retirement and wedding.

In 1800, Count Nikolai Petrovich Sheremetev retired and on November 6, 1801, got married in the Church of Simeon the Stylite on Povarskaya, to his former serf Praskovya Ivanovna Kovaleva (theatrical pseudonym of Zhemchugov), the leading actress of his theater. Young Praskovya Kovaleva (June 20, 1768, Kuskovo, Russia - February 23, 1803, St. Petersburg, Russia), the daughter of a village blacksmith, from the age of 8 lived in the count's house, where she received musical and acting education, learned French and Italian. Her debut took place in Grétry’s opera “The Experience of Friendship” and at the same time the Count chose a theatrical pseudonym for her - Zhemchugova. She received her freedom in 1798. After 3 years, all her relatives were also released, and her father was registered as a Moscow merchant of the third guild. The couple had a son, Dmitry, on February 3, 1803 - his mother died of tuberculosis 3 weeks after giving birth.

Charity.

After the death of his wife, Nikolai Petrovich Sheremetev, fulfilling the will of the deceased, devoted his life to charity. According to Praskovya Ivanovna’s will, he donated part of the capital to help poor brides and artisans, and also began construction of the Hospice House in Moscow, which was opened after the death of its founder, in 1810. In 1923, the Hospice House became the Institute of Emergency Medicine named after. Sklifosovsky, later the Medical Museum research center.

By decree of April 25, 1803, Emperor Alexander I ordered that Count Nikolai Petrovich be given general meeting Senate gold medal with the image of his portrait on one side, and on the other the inscription: “as a pledge of universal gratitude for such an elegant deed and so that his memory is preserved and unforgettable in posterity,” and, in addition, awarded him the Order of St. Vladimir, 1st degree .

In addition, Sheremetev’s funds were used to build a theater and palace complex in Ostankino, theater buildings in Kuskovo and Markovo, houses in Pavlovsk and Gatchina, the Champetre manor and the Fountain House in St. Petersburg. No less important is the role of Sheremetev in the construction of temples: the Church of the Sign of the Mother of God in the Novospassky Monastery, the Trinity Church at the Hospice House, the Demetrius Cathedral of the Spaso-Yakovlevsky Monastery in Rostov the Great and others.

Count Nikolai Petrovich Sheremetev died on January 2, 1809 and was buried in St. Petersburg in the family tomb of Counts Sheremetev in the Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg.

Pavel Sergeevich Sheremetyev(May 19, 1871-November 20, 1943, Moscow) - historian, artist.

born into the family of Count Sergei Dmitrievich Sheremetev and Ekaterina Pavlovna, née Vyazemskaya. Graduated from the Faculty of History and Philology of the Imperial St. Petersburg University. Served his mandatory sentence for a year military service in the Life Guards Izmailovsky Regiment. He retired to the reserve with the rank of warrant officer. In 1899-1911 - Zvenigorod district leader. In 1900 he received the rank of chamber cadet, in 1906 - college councilor, in 1910 - chamberlain. Participant Russo-Japanese War(1905-1906). Was an authorized representative Russian Society Red Cross from the Moscow nobility. With his participation, a military hospital with 1000 beds was organized in Vladivostok, and a sanitary warehouse was equipped in the village of Novokievskaya. In 1906 he was awarded the Red Cross medal “For labors incurred during military operations for the benefit of sick and wounded soldiers.” With the outbreak of the First World War, reserve warrant officer Count Sheremetev was drafted into the militia, where he also helped the wounded. He spent the whole of 1915 in the active army.

Member of the Amateur Society ancient writing; Russian Genealogical Society, Historical and Genealogical Society, competitive member of the Imperial Society of History and Russian Antiquities at Moscow University, member of the St. Petersburg and Yaroslavl Scientific Archival Commissions, member of the Society for the Protection and Preservation of Monuments of Art and Antiquity. Since 1903 - a member of the liberal circle "Conversation", of which V.I. Vernandsky was a member. Member of the Patriarchal Conversation circle. Member of the committee for preparations for the 100th anniversary celebration Patriotic War 1812. Member of the committee for preparing the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the House of Romanov. Since 1916 - member of the State. Council from noble societies.

Talented artist. Student of K. Ya. Kryzhitsky and A. A. Kiselev. In 1911, he was a fellow chairman of the All-Russian Congress of Artists and chairman of the Committee for the Exhibition of Icon Painting and Artistic Antiquities.

After October revolution Until 1927, he was the head of the Ostafyevo Estate Museum near Moscow, where he worked on describing the collections of paintings and sculptures, and systematized the collections of weapons, gems, lithographs and books. In June 1928 he was fired. In the fall of 1929, after the liquidation of Ostafyev’s museum status, he was evicted and lived with his family in the Naprudnaya Tower of the Novodevichy Convent, writing articles that remained in manuscripts.

Member of the All-Russian Writers' Union (1921). In 1911, P. S. Sheremetev published the book “Karamzin in Ostafiev”.
Together with the engraver Nikolai Panov, he published the historical and artistic collection “Russian Estates”, in which Sheremetev wrote texts.

Since 1921, he has been married to Praskovya Vasilievna (nee Princess Obolenskaya; 1883-1941), who worked with her husband at the Ostafyevo Museum in 1922-1928. The marriage produced a son:
Vasily (1922-1989) - artist.

Sheremetev, Count Nikolai Petrovich

D. T. Councilor, Chief Chamberlain and Senator, b. June 28, 1751; died January 2, 1809, in Moscow. Early recorded in military service, Nikolai Petrovich in 1768 was granted a chamber cadet to Vysoch. courtyard, where he had been before, as a childhood friend of Tsarevich Pavel Petrovich, and in next year went on a trip abroad. He spent four years abroad, visited Holland, where, among other things, he attended lectures at the University of Leiden, England, France, Switzerland and Germany and, upon returning to Russia, again took up a court position, reaching the rank of chief chamberlain in 1798. In addition Moreover, Nikolai Petrovich had been the chief director of the Moscow noble bank since 1777; in 1786-1794 was present in the fifth department of the Senate in Moscow; in 1796-1800 - in the survey department of the Senate, and in 1798 he participated in a special commission consisting of gr. Litta, gr. N.I. Saltykov, Senator V.V. Engelhardt and General. Prosecutor P.V. Lopukhin, and had the goal of establishing the procedure for admitting Russian nobles to the Order of the Knights of Malta, of which Emperor Paul became a grandmaster in the same year.

Upon his retirement in 1800, he settled in Moscow and here, with his magnificent and brilliant receptions and festivities, he eclipsed even his father’s feasts, which surprised Catherine’s contemporaries.

Modest and kind by nature, gr. Sh. was a benefactor to many. Contemporaries who knew him, who almost all speak very sympathetically of him, point to a number of his benefits. So, by the way, from Bogolyubov’s letters to Prince. Kurakin we learn that he gave away annually up to 260 thousand rubles for pensions alone, and this distribution continued, according to his will, even after his death until his son came of age. But the most important benefit of gr. Nikolai Petrovich, who created the monument to his entire family, should be considered the “Hospital House” he founded in Moscow. Having buried his beloved wife Praskovya Ivanovna, nee Kovalevskaya, known for her benefactors, in 1803, he immediately set about fulfilling the thought bequeathed by the deceased about doing charity to the unfortunate. In the same year, Imp. was approved. Alexander I, the plan and charter of the “Hospital House”, finally rebuilt and opened after the death of its founder, in 1810. According to the charter, the “House” consists of an almshouse for 100 elderly and crippled persons of both sexes and a free hospital for 50 people; In addition, it is supposed to give out annually: 6000 p. for a dowry for 25 helpless and orphaned girls, according to the special will of the late countess; 5000 rub. to help poor families; 4000 p. to support poor artisans; 5000 p. for contributions to monasteries and churches, and 2000 rubles. for the compilation of protective capital in the safe treasury in favor of the “Hospital House”. To cover all expenses for the house, Nikolai Petrovich donated 500 thousand rubles. and 8441 souls of peasants with a quitrent of 50 thousand rubles. The total expenditure for this institution reached more than 3 million. R. By decree of April 25 1603 Imp. Alexander I ordered to hand over gr. Nikolai Petrovich, at the general meeting of the Senate, received a gold medal with his portrait on one side and the inscription on the other: “as a pledge of universal gratitude for such an elegant deed and so that his memory will be preserved and unforgettable in posterity,” which was done the following year, and, in addition, awarded him the Order of Vladimir, 1st class.

1) Home arch. P. I. Baranova, accessory. N. Semenov (form. list. adv. ved.; High. Uk. Sen. Arch, book 123, l. 353; book 138, l. 7; book 140, l. 450; book 157, l . 561; book 161, l. 294 and 368, book. 176, l. 217; book 177, l. 458; book 178, l. 436; book 184, l. 2; book 209, l. 5 and 6; book 210, l. 180; book 230, l. 45; book 257, l. 147-182; book 278, l. 344-353; book 278, l. 350). 2) I Complete Collection. Laws, No. 20727. 3) Ross. Genus. book Dolgorukova, vol. III, pp. 501-503. 4) Diary of Khrapovitsky, ed. 1874, p. 604. 5) Dictionary of memorable people by D. N. Bantysh-Kamensky, ed. 1836 6) Lists of gentlemen, ed. 1814 - his own. 7) Letters from Bogolyubov to Prince. Kurakin (Russian Arch. 1893, vol. III, pp. 303-304), 8) Letters from E. P. Dashkova to gr. N.P. Sheremetev (Russian Star. 1873, p. 1908). 9) Archive of the book. Vorontsova, book. VIII, p. 167). 10) St. Petersburg Magazine - P. I. Berteneva, ed. 1883, pp. 149-150. 11) Tsarevich Pavel Petrovich - Kobeko, St. Petersburg. 1883 12) Remarkable wealth of private individuals in Russia - Karnovich, St. Petersburg. 1874.14) Historical description Borisov Tikhvin Maiden Hermitage - arch. Leonida (Read M.O. Ist. and Other R. 1872, No. 2). 14) Historical note about the Hospice House - Tarasenkova, 1860 15) Statistical and Historical Review of the Hospice House in Moscow - Sergeeva, 1843

(Polovtsov)

. 2009 .

See what “Sheremetev, Count Nikolai Petrovich” is in other dictionaries:

Wikipedia has articles about other people with this surname, see Sheremetev. Count Nikolai P ... Wikipedia

- (1751 1809) count, chief chamberlain (1798). Son of P.B. Sheremetev. Owner of the Kuskovo and Ostankino estates. After the death of his wife P.I. Zhemchugova founded the Hospice House in Moscow... Big encyclopedic Dictionary

- (1751 1809), count, chief chamberlain (1798). Son of P.B. Sheremetev. Owner of the Kuskovo and Ostankino estates. After the death of his wife, P.I. Zhemchugova founded the Hospice House in Moscow. * * * SHEREMETEV Nikolai Petrovich SHEREMETEV Nikolai Petrovich (1751 1809),… … encyclopedic Dictionary

N. I. Argunov. Portrait of N.P. Sheremetev Sheremetev, Nikolai Petrovich (June 28, 1751 January 1, 1809) count, patron of the arts. He studied at the University of Leiden, in 1771-1772 he met theatrical life England, Holland, Switzerland... ... Wikipedia

- (R. Lacy, Peterlesy, as he signed in Russian) General Field Marshal; genus. October 30, 1678, d. April 19, 1751; in 1697, serving in the French army and participating in the Savoy War, he received his first officer rank, in 1698 he entered the... ... Large biographical encyclopedia

Sheremetev, Sheremetyev is a Russian surname. Men Sheremetev, Alexander Dmitrievich (1859 1931) Russian philanthropist and amateur musician, first chairman of the Russian Fire Society. Sheremetev, Boris Nikolaevich (? ?) ... Wikipedia

Friday, August 10, 2007 00:12 + to quote book

I am adding this story to my diary today as a sign of fulfillment of a promise. Rusinka, after exchanging mutual comments in her diary on this topic, and also as a sign of my deep respect for many Russian people from the Sheremetev family. This post is long, but I didn’t want to tear it into parts. Patient and interested in Russian history (especially the history of patronage) and partly romance, I think he will not regret the time spent reading. If this story arouses interest in a narrow circle of my readers, then over time a continuation of the story about the glorious Sheremetev family will appear here
Why did I decide to post this story in my diary today, August 9?
It was compiled by me exactly a year ago.

On this day 255 years (now 256 years) ago, Count Nikolai Petrovich Sheremetev, a brilliant and versatile educated man, was born.

Being one of the richest nobles, he was a generous benefactor of that era, so far from us. A little about the ancestors of Count N.P. Sheremetev:
The roots of the Sheremetev family go deep into the history of Russia. Together with the Golitsyns, the Sheremetevs elevated the young Mikhail Romanov to the throne in 1612. Nikolai Petrovich's grandfather, Boris Petrovich Sheremetev (1652-1719), is a famous field marshal and associate of Peter I. Father, Pyotr Borisovich Sheremetev (1713-1788), is a general, senator, chamberlain, who spent a lot of effort and money on creating a unique Kuskovo in the Moscow region palace ensemble.

I. Argunov. Portrait of Count Pyotr Borisovich Sheremetev. 1760

Kuskovo

Count Nikolai Petrovich Sheremetev was born on June 28, 1751 in St. Petersburg. Young Nikolai Sheremetev, like all his famous ancestors, was closely connected with the ruling dynasty - he grew up and was brought up together with the future Emperor Paul I, was with him in great friendship. Many years later, Nikolai Petrovich would be one of the last to see Paul I on the eve of his tragic death in the Mikhailovsky Palace.

N. Argunov. Portrait of Count N.P. Sheremetev. 1798

At the age of eight, Sheremetev, according to tradition, was recorded as a sergeant and then lieutenant of the Preobrazhensky Life Guards Regiment.
The Count received an excellent education. There is a well-known document called “Plan for the education of a young gentleman. Composed for the young Count Sheremetev, the only son of His Excellency Count Sheremetev, by Yakov Shtelin in the winter of 1764.”

Kuskovo Estate

The education plan included the study of many disciplines: from the Law of God to international commerce. Sheremetev studied history, mathematics, geography, biology, astronomy, engineering, fortification, artillery, military regulations, heraldry, ceremonial art, and studied dancing, music, and dressage.

View of the Kuskovo estate

In addition, the plan was supposed to help the count develop good taste for judgments about works of painting, sculpture, architecture and art.

Family of serf artists

Family Art Gallery in Kuskovo

As a result, Sheremetev grew up and was brought up in a special atmosphere, receiving serious musical education: he professionally played the piano, violin, cello, read scores, directed an orchestra, and participated in amateur performances in the palace and on his estates.

Fragment of the interior of the palace. Kuskovo

In 1769, the count went on a long trip to European countries.

Moscow outpost. 18th century engraving

The goal is to study at Leiden University (Holland). While traveling, Sheremetev meets Handel and Mozart (the latter, by the way, even helps him financially). He is presented to the courts of Prussia, France and England.
Upon returning to Russia it begins successful career Sheremetev at court. In 1774, twenty-three-year-old Sheremetev was promoted to chamberlain, in 1777 he was elected Moscow district marshal of the nobility, and in 1786 he was appointed privy councilor and senator. Empress Catherine II loves and visits the Sheremetev estates more than once, especially Kuskovo.

Interior of the palace in Kuskovo

With the accession of Emperor Paul I in 1896, Count Sheremetev became one of the highest-ranking officials of the court - Chief Marshal, led all ceremonial processions and had lunch and dinner with the emperor almost every day.

In the Kuskovo Palace

In 1799 he was appointed director of the imperial theaters, then director of the Corps of Pages.
Nikolai Petrovich was known as a well-known expert on architecture and was a major client-builder.

View of the village of Ostankino. Unknown artist

Over two decades, with his participation and at his expense, a theater and palace complex in Ostankino, theater buildings in Kuskovo and Markovo, houses in Pavlovsk and Gatchina, the Champetre manor and the Fountain House in St. Petersburg were built.

No less important is the role of Sheremetev in the construction of churches: the Church of the Sign of the Mother of God in the Novospassky Monastery, the Trinity Church at the Hospice House, the temple in the name of Dmitry of Rostov in Rostov the Great and others.

Fragment of the interior of the estate in Ostankino

Count Sheremetev went down in the history of Russian culture as an outstanding theatrical figure, the creator of one of the the best theaters in Russia. On his estate, in Kuskovo, the count created a theater school, where he taught acting to his serfs.

N. Argunov. Portrait of a boy from the Sheremetev family. 1803

The main actress of the theater, the “culprit” of its unprecedented fame, was Praskovya Kovaleva-Zhemchugova (1768-1803), the daughter of an ordinary village blacksmith.

If you wish, read the continuation of the story in the comments.