Analysis of Princess Dashkova’s Memoirs

Andrew Stutts

Personal memoirs are invaluable documents when studying history and provide a personal perspective not normally obtained concerning facts and events.  However, they must be critically examined in their context and compared to multiple sources.  While fascinating, personal memoirs are bias and potentially manipulating by nature, even when they are written by authors with the noblest intentions.  Therefore, these documents should always be read discerningly.  Princess Dashkova’s Memoirs is no exception and there are ample opportunities to discern the information her writing conveys.   Therefore, this paper shall provide an analysis of Princess Dashkova’s Memoirs emphasizing potential embellishments or contradictory information.  A  brief synopsis of Princess Dashkova’s life will be given followed by a discussion of her memoirs in the following key areas: her role in the coup that place Catherine the Great on the throne of Russia, her relationship with Catherine, her portrayal of the men in Catherine’s life, and Dashkova’s marriage.

Knyaginya (Princess) Yekatrina Romanovna Vorontsova Dashkova (1744-1810) was born to a long-standing and prominent family of the Russian aristocracy and married Prince Mikail Ivanovich Dashkov in 1759.  Early in her life Dashkova was well connected politically, with the Empress Elizabeth as her godmother and Peter III as her godfather.  She is best remembered as a loyal friend to Catherine the Great and as participant in the coup d’etat that placed Catherine on the Russian throne.   Despite her political support, Princess Dashkova’s relations with Empress Catherine were strained at times.  This led to her travels abroad in the late 1760s and 1770s and her notoriety as a philanthropist.  Upon her return to Russia the Princess was appointed by Catherine to direct the Petersburg Academy of Arts and Science.  In 1783, she had the distinction to become the first president of the Russian Academy, which through its works to promote the study and use of the Russian language produced its first dictionary.  “Her prominence ended in 1796 when Paul I, successor to Catherine, deprived the Princess of her offices and compelled her to leave St. Petersburg.” ("Dashkova, Yekaterina Romanovna Vorontsova, Knyaginya (Princess). . .”)

One of Dashkova’s ultimate embellishments, although done in a self-effacing manner, concerns the significance of her involvement in the overthrow of Peter III and the rise of Catherine the Great.  It is highly unlikely that her contributions were of any relevance to the outcome of the coup, at least not to the degree that was inferred by her memoirs.  Furthermore, Catherine and her cohorts likely marginalized any involvement of the unqualified and overly exuberant, albeit well intentioned, youngster.  In fact, Catherine’s version of the events contradicts Dashkova’s in that she contends she only patronized the inexperienced 18 year old.   According to an article written by Tamara Eldelman of the publication Russian Life, Catherine “rather mockingly describes how she provided her young friend an outlet for her abundant energy by allowing Dashkova to agitate on her behalf in high society salons.” (Eldelman)  Eldelman further asserts in her article that “when it came to actually persuading the Imperial Guards to ally themselves with Catherine and organizing the coup, the inexperienced teenager was kept at arm’s length.”(Eldelman)   In fact, Dashkova’s own memoirs collaborates Catherine’s inference that her involvement in the coup was marginal at best.  Note what she remarks in her memoirs concerning the meeting she had with Catherine in her bed chamber; “The grand duchess would have continued and was warning me against the inexperience and enthusiasm of my age and character, when, interrupting her, I kissed her hand, and assured her that I would no longer expose either of us to any risk by prolonging this interview.”(Memoirs of the Princess Daschkaw Vol. 1, 38)  Furthermore, her self-confessed bewilderment in her memoirs upon discovering Orlov was Catherine’s favored confidant cast doubt on the likelihood of her ever really being and insider.  Despite the doubt cast on her involvement in this historical event, there is no denying Dashkova would grow up to become a remarkable woman in her own right. (Eldelman)

Despite the probability that Dashkova’s role in the coup was minor; the mutual affection of her relationship with Catherine is more than likely an accurate description in her memoirs.  The following from Princess Dashkova’s Memoirs  is what  the princess said concerning her initial encounters with Catherine;  “there were not two women in the empire, except the grand duchess and myself, who occupied themselves at all in serious reading; hence was a point of mutual attraction; and as the graces of her manner were absolutely irresistible to all whom she chose to please, what must have been their effect on a young creature like myself, scarcely fifteen years of age and so susceptible to their power?”  (Memoirs of the Princess Daschkaw Vol. 1, 27) Furthermore, the admiration displayed for Catherine in her writings was in all probability sincere and inspired her to become a great woman in her own rights.  In her memoirs, Dashkova reminisces the following concerning Catherine; she “inspired an enthusiasm and devoted-ness in return, which carried me into a sphere of action I then so little contemplated or aspired to, and more or less influenced the rest of my life.” (Memoirs of the Princess Daschkaw Vol. 1, 27)   Based on the passionate nature of Dashkova’s writings, one would be hard press to deny the validity of her declaration of love and esteem for Catherine.  Moreover, some observers may misconstrue Dashkova’s relationship with Catherine and make conjectures that is was one of a physical nature.  However, one must not judge the merits or nature of their relationship based on modern standards, as noted by Ruthchild in her review of Princess Dashkova’s Memoirs.  Note her following remarks on this issue; “It is generally problematic to impose twentieth-century values and concepts of sexuality on events and people of an earlier time.” (Ruthchild)  Irrespective of the nature of their physical relationship, it is obvious that these two women shared a bond between them that ultimately transcended Catherine's many sexual affairs and empowered both women.

Divergent from the loving remarks about Catherine, Dashkova displayed a significant level of disdain for each of Catherine’s lovers in her memoirs.  The unwaveringly display of disapproval for these courtships, especially the one with Grigorii Orlov, likely stemmed from the deep affection for Catherine mentioned previously.  However, Dashkova’s conjecture probably contributed heavily to the strong consensus of opinion in regard to his arrogance, stupidity, and coarseness.  Even if this was a correct appraisal on her part concerning Orlov, she total leads readers astray concerning the guile of Catherine.  This was probably due to herself being naïve and underestimating the canny and astuteness of Catherine the Great.  This point is well made by the following supposition from The Courtships of Catherine the Great; “The way in which Catherine lavished gifts upon him, and her carelessness of his want of decency, were well calculated to foster arrogance and coarseness.” (Sergeant 78) While it is likely Dashkova held real concern for Catherine’s reputation and what she perceived as manipulation on the part of Orlov, she was oblivious to what was really transpiring.   It was Catherine not Orlov that was the prime manipulator in control.  Catherine felt affection for Orlov but allowed him dominion only when it benefited her designs. 

Dashkova’s writing may have erroneously slanted opinions of Orlov for all time.  However, it would only be fair to mention that her account of Peter III corroborates with her contemporaries and therefore provide the history scholar with a nearly precise description.  Here is what Catherine said in her memoirs concerning her future husband; “It was then that I heard it stated, in the presence of the assembled family, that the young Duke was inclined to drink, his attendants finding it difficult to keep him from getting intoxicated at table; that he was restless and impetuous; without affection for those about him”. (Sergeant 13)  It must be taking into consideration that she was referring to a ten year old Peter III.  Other depictions of Peter III leaves one inclined to believe his behavior as an adult did not change much form the ten year old described in Catherine’s memoirs.  Furthermore, they also validate Dashkova’s opinions of him.

 Princess Dashkova married at a young age and no one who reads her memoirs can doubt the love she felt for her husband.  However, things may have not been as the memoirs suggest.  Tamara Eldelman in her previously cited article mentions that “rumor had it that the brilliant officer Mikhail Dashkov went a bit overboard showering flattering pleasantries on the young Katya Vorontsova (Dashkova’s maiden name), the niece of Russia’s powerful chancellor.  The young lady took him at his word and informed her uncle that she had just been asked for her hand in marriage.  Dashkova did not dare to object, and thus the ‘happy’ union came about.” (Eldelman) This could be dismissed as only a rumor if not for the tell-tale signs in her memoirs and the renderings of Dashkov’s character by other accounts.   According to her own memoirs he would go for long periods without seeing her.  Also, by most accounts he almost bankrupted her with his overindulgence and carousing.  The analysis of the aforementioned is that her marriage was inauspicious despite the immense and passionate love she felt for him.  Additionally, that she did little too tarnish his memory in her memoirs is a testament to the love she felt for this less than deserving man.

 “She helps the masons erect walls, clears the roads and feeds the cows herself, composes musical plays, writes articles for the press, and loudly corrects the priest in church if he deviates from the rules, and in the theater she interrupts the actors and teaches them how they should perform their roles.  The princess is doctor, apothecary, feldscher, merchant, carpenter, judge, and administrator all rolled into one,” (Edelman) One can only conjecture if this description provided by one of Dashkova’s contemporaries in her later years is deserved.  Additionally, one can only speculate if Princess Dashkova promoted this image of herself in writing and demeanor.  One thing is for certain; Princess Dashkova Memoirs provide a treasure trove of information and insights but like other documents of its nature should be studied with a discerning eye.  In conclusion, there is no doubt that the Dashkova lived an interesting life during a fascinating time in history.   Princess Dashkova’s Memoirs will continue to intrigue readers for generations and add to her repute and standing as one of the most fascinating women in history.

 

Works Cited
Memoirs of the Princess Daschkaw. 1. London: Henry Colburn, 1840. 1-227. eBook

Memoirs of the Princess Daschkaw. 2. London: Henry Colburn, 1840. 1-232. eBook

"Dashkova, Yekaterina Romanovna Vorontsova, Knyaginya (Princess). ." Britannica Biographies, 3/1/2012, p1, 0p. 2012.

Eldelman, Tamara. "Deconstructing Dashkova." Russian Life 52.2 (2009): 22. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 23 Feb. 2013.

Sergeant, Philip. The Courtships of Catherine the Great. London: Lippincott Subjects, 1905. eBook.

Ruthchild, Rochelle Goldbr. "On The Edge Of Emancipation." Women's Review Of Books 15.2 (1997): 20. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 23 Feb. 2013.