The Life and Times of Catherine the Great

Considered one of the greatest female rulers, Catherine the Great was a German princess who ruled Russia for 34 years. She introduced reforms in government that led to widespread education, advances in medical care, and improvements in the legal system. Catherine was a voracious reader, and she took many ideas from her reading. She was particularly influenced by writers of the Enlightenment who focused on natural law and science. As one of Russia s longest rulers, she introduced arts and culture to Russia. Her influence led to the development of Russia as a world power in the 19th and 20th centuries.