Franz Lefort

François Le Fort, also: Franz Lefort (. .. . Born December 23 1655jul / January 2 1656greg in Geneva; † 2 Märzjul / March 12 1699greg in Moscow), was a confidant of Tsar Peter I and the first Russian Admiral. The Swiss is one of the organizers of the Imperial Russian Navy.

Life

The Le Fort family were Huguenots who had fled from the Piedmont to Geneva and had come there as merchants of wealth and prestige. 1672 left Le Fort with 16 years of the parental home, came in 1674 in the Dutch military service and went to 1675 Arkhangelsk to Moscow. He knew how to acquire a certain reputation in the circles of foreigners in the German suburb ( Nemezkaja sloboda ). Already at the end of the reign of Tsar Fyodor III. joined Le Fort in Russian service; during the regency of Sophia ( 1682-89 ) he enjoyed the favor of the main conductor of the Russian state affairs, Prince Vasili Gallizin, and participated in the campaigns in the Crimea in 1687 and 1689th

The 17 -year-old Peter I learned Le Fort after the coup d'etat of the year 1689 know. Through sociable talent, versatile education, selflessness and unconditional devotion to the young Tsar Le Fort acquired his intimate friendship. As a good friend and drinking brother, he had a major influence on Peter. In Moscow he hosted lavish parties, for which he asked the Tsar a palace available, which offered some 1,500 people. What in Russia was anybody here was on. Alcohol flowed freely; in this wild driving was Peter the relaxation that he was looking for.

In Peters services Le Fort had a brilliant career that was based not only on his social qualities. He accompanied the tzar on his travels and stood him during the campaigns in Azov ( 1695 and 1696 ) as advisors and military leaders to the side. For a time, represented as Le Fort leader of the Great Embassy Russia's interests abroad. He helped the Tsar to reorganize the ailing Russian army and naval forces to form. He received the rank of Grand Admiral and the title of " governor of Novgorod".

The intercourse with men such as Le Fort and Patrick Gordon let the desire arise in the Tsar to meet Western Europe more closely and to develop the influence of Western culture Russia. 1697 was Le Fort at the head of the Russian Legation Peters, with the Tsar " incognito " foreign countries visited.

The founding of the new capital Saint Petersburg on the Gulf of Finland by the Tsar was to plans Le Fort, who did not live it.

At his death Le Fort was only 43 years old. It is proven that excessive alcohol consumption for the early decline of his health is partly responsible. Peter ordered a state funeral with all imaginable honor for him.

A neighborhood of Moscow named Lefortovsky even today.