Saltykov, Nikolai

Born Oct. 31 (Nov. 11), 1736; died May 16 (28), 1816, in St. Petersburg. Russian field marshal (1796). Count (1790), prince (1814).

Saltykov served in the guards from 1748 and fought in the Seven Years’ War of 1756–63, during which he was appointed chief quartermaster of the army in the field in 1758. From 1763 to 1768 he commanded a detachment in Poland, and in 1769–70 he saw service in the Russo-Turkish War of 1768–74. An experienced, equanimous, and cunning courtier, Saltykov (instead of N. I. Panin) was appointed in 1773 as guardian of Pavel, the heir to the throne. At the same time, Saltykov was made vice-president of the Military Collegium. From 1783, Saltykov was the tutor of the grand dukes Alexander Pavlovich and Konstan-tin Pavlovich. Saltykov was acting president of the Military Collegium from 1788 and its president from 1796 to 1802. From March 1812 to May 1816 he was chairman of the State Council and chairman of the Committee of Ministers.