Peter II of Russia

Peter II of Russia (Пётр II Алексеевич in Russian), (October 23, 1715 - January 29, 1730) Emperor of Russia in (1727-1730); son of tsarevichAleksei Petrovich and Sophia Charlotte, Princess of Blankenburg and Wolfenbuttel; grandson of Peter the Great.

He was 12 when he ascended to the throne after the death of Catherine I, although was not actually coronated until reaching the age of majority in 1728. Until his coronation, Russia was practically ruled by Count Aleksandr Menshikov. Influenced by boyar aristocracy (knyazs Dolgorukovs and others), Peter II sent Menshikov into exile and officially expressed his negative attitude towards Peter the Great's reforms. He dismissed many of Peter's institutions and moved his residence to Moscow.

He died of smallpox in 1730. Whilst dying in bed, his wife, Catherine Dolgorukova, whom he had married the same day, was pushed into his deathbed in a desperate attempt to make her pregnant. With Peter's death, the Romanovs' male bloodline seized to exist.

He was succeeded by his cousin Anna I of Russia (Anna Ivanovna).

Preceded by: Catherine I

Emperor of Russia

Succeeded by: Anna