Ivan Shuvalov

Ivan Ivanovich Shuvalov (Russian: Иван Иванович Шувалов, scientific transliteration Ivan Ivanovich Shuvalov; * 1.jul / November 12 1727greg in Moscow, .. .. † 15.jul / November 26 1797greg in Saint Petersburg ), was a count, favorite of the Empress Elizabeth of Russia, promoter of education and founder of the University in Moscow and the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts.

The Shuvalov family was raised in 1746 by Empress Elizabeth in the title of count. A short time later, in 1751, Ivan Ivanovich Shuvalov was brought by his relatives to the court, where he soon became a lover of the Empress - this opened his family the way to high government offices. Ivan Shuvalov's passion was art and science. He promoted Mikhail Lomonosov, corresponded with Helvetius, Diderot, Voltaire and other Enlightenment thinkers. Shuvalov founded in 1755 on the initiative of Lomonosov in Moscow and Kazan schools as well as the first Russian university, today's Lomonosov University. 1757 was followed by the founding of the Academy of Arts in Saint Petersburg, which he was president until 1763. Shuvalov had an important collection of ancient works of art, the vase painter Shuvalov Painter received after him his Notnamen.

Shuvalov's career ended with the death of the Empress Elizabeth.