Ivan VI Antonovich
Ivan VI Antonovich
Born Aug. 12 (23), 1740, in St. Petersburg; died July 5 (16), 1764, in ShlissePburg Fortress. Nominal Russian emperor (from October 1740). Son of Anna Leopol’dovna (niece of the Russian empress Anna Ivanovna) and Duke Anton Ulrich of Braunschweig.
Under Ivan VI, the regent was E. Biron. After Biron was overthrown, Anna Leopol’dovna became regent. On Nov. 25, 1741, Ivan VI was overthrown by Elizaveta Petrovna. Ivan VI was initially sent into exile along with his parents and subsequently was transferred to solitary confinement. He was kept in Shlissel’burg Fortress from 1756. Ivan VI was killed by a guard when the officer V. Ia. Mirovich attempted to free him and proclaim him emperor in place of Catherine II.