Yakov Shakhovskoy

Prince Yakov Petrovich Shakhovskoy (1705–1777) was a prominent Russian statesman born into an aristocratic family. His father, Prince Pyotr Ivanovich Shakhovskoy, died shortly after his birth, leaving him to be raised by his uncle, Prince Aleksey Shakhovskoy, who played a significant role in his upbringing and early career. Shakhovskoy began his military service at the age of 20 as a soldier in the Leib-Guard Semyonovsky Regiment, quickly advancing through the ranks to become a first lieutenant by 1725. During the reign of Peter II, he was promoted to captain and later transferred to the Cavalry guards. In the mid-1730s, Shakhovskoy served under his uncle in Ukraine, reporting directly to Empress Anna Ioanovna and Duke Biron on Ukrainian affairs. After his uncle's death in 1737, Shakhovskoy was forced to leave civil service but continued his military career during the Russo-Turkish War, participating in key battles such as Ochakov, Dnieper, and Khotin under Burkhard Christoph von Munnich. Shakhovskoy's political fortunes fluctuated with changing regimes. Under Empress Elizabeth, he faced challenges due to the arrest of his protectors but remained in office, eventually becoming the General-Prosecutor of the Most Holy Synod in 1753. Known for his strict integrity, he earned the animosity of powerful clerics but stayed in the role until 1760. His loyalty and service were recognized with high-ranking titles, including Privy Counsellor, Order of Alexander Nevsky, and Order of St. Anna. During the Seven Years' War, Shakhovskoy was appointed General-Kriegskomissar and played a crucial role in managing state expenditures. However, his ...