Anna Leopoldovna (1718–1746)
Anna Leopoldovna (1718–1746)
Russian regent. Name variations: Anna Carlovna or Karlovna. Born Elisabeth Katharina Christine, Dec 18, 1718; died in exile, Mar 18 or 19, 1746; dau. of Catherine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1692–1733) and Charles Leopold, duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin; m. Anton Ulrich (b. 1714), duke of Brunswick, 1739 (died 1775); children: Ivan VI (b. 1740), emperor of Russia (r. 1740–1741); Catherine of Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel (1741–1807); Elizabeth of Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel (1743–1782); Peter (b. 1745); Alexei (b. 1746).
After Empress Anna Ivanovna died (1740), declared herself regent to her son Ivan who was heir to the throne; knew little of the character of the people with whom she had to deal, was ignorant of the Russian mode of government, and quarrelled with key supporters; when Elizabeth Petrovna, daughter of Peter the Great, incited the guards to revolt and was proclaimed Empress Elizabeth I, was banished to a small island in the river Dvina (son Ivan was thrown into prison where he soon died).
See also Women in World History.