Vasily Vasilyevich, Prince Golitsyn

Vasily Vasilyevich, Prince Golitsyn (born 1643, Russia—died May 2 [April 21, Old Style], 1714, Kholmogory, Russia) was a Russian statesman who was the chief adviser to Sophia Alekseyevna and dominated Russian foreign policy during her regency (1682–89). Extremely well educated and greatly influenced by western European culture, Golitsyn was awarded the rank of boyar (next in rank to the ruling princes) in 1676 by Tsar Alexis (ruled 1645–76) and was also given a military command...