Andrey Ivanovich, Count Osterman

Russian statesman

Also known as: Heinrich Johann Friedrich Ostermann

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History

Andrey Ivanovich, Count Osterman (born June 9 [May 30, Old Style], 1686, Bochum, Westphalia [Germany]—died May 31 [May 20], 1747, Berëzovo, Siberia, Russia) was a statesman who dominated the conduct of Russia’s foreign affairs from 1725 to 1740. Having come to Russia in 1703, Osterman was appointed by Peter I the Great to be an interpreter for the Russian Foreign Office (1708) and was given the rank of secretary in 1710. He assisted in negotiating...