Catherine was born on May 2, 1729, in Settin Pomerania. Her birth name was Sophia Augusta. Her father was Christan Augusta of Anhalt-Zerbst. The family of Anhalt-Zebst was one of the poorest and most obscure of all the German princely families. Her father did not become the reining Prince of Zerbst until Catherine was thirteen years old. In 1743, when Catherine was fifteen her mother had found her a husband. She was to marry Grand Duke Peter of …showed first 75 words of 1315 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1315 total…One of these was Catherine’s advisor, who helped her develop her Turkish policy. Catherine always had a favorite around her up until the time of her death. As Catherine got older she was tired and she could no longer control events or the people. In September of 1796 Catherine suffered a stroke. November 16 a more serious stroke surprised her while she was in here closet. She died on November 17, 1796 without ever regaining consciousness. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography**