The Tree of Europe · Person
Paul I of Russia
Emperor of Russia and son of Catherine II. He sought to reorganise the succession and court discipline, but his authoritarian government ended with his assassination in 1801.
This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.
Key details
Birth: 1 October 1754 Documented
Death: 24 March 1801 Documented
Role: Emperor
Dynasty: Holstein-Gottorp · ES
Territories: Russia (ES) · Holstein (ES)
Recorded governments and reigns
Emperor · Russia · Empire Documented1796–1801Effective rule
Duke · Holstein · Duchy Documented1762–1773Branch ruleHe inherited the ducal share of Holstein as a minor; Catherine II administered it and exchanged it for Oldenburg and Delmenhorst through the Treaty of Tsarskoye Selo in 1773.
Recorded relationships
Parents
Peter III of RussiaDocumentedCatherine II of RussiaDocumented
Partners
Sophie Dorothea of Württemberg · ESDocumented
Their titles over time
Follow the changing territories and offices of Paul I of Russia. Each title retains its own status.
Governments in 1762
- HolsteinDuke
View titles and jurisdictions
- Holstein · ESDuke · Branch rule · Paul of Holstein-Gottorp1762–1773 · He inherited the ducal share of Holstein as a minor; Catherine II administered it and exchanged it for Oldenburg and Delmenhorst through the Treaty of Tsarskoye Selo in 1773.
Annual dates: overlap within one year does not prove that two offices were held on the same day. Regencies and co-rulerships retain their labels.
Sources for this profile
- Neue Deutsche Biographie · Peter III.
- Dansk Biografisk Leksikon · Caspar von Saldern
- Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND authority record · Paul I., Russland, Zar
- Encyclopaedia Britannica
Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.
Evidence for this profile
7 recorded claims · 0 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.
Dates (2/2 with a precise source)
- BirthDocumented
1 October 1754
The authority record gives the birth as 1754-10-01. - DeathDocumented
24 March 1801
The authority record gives the death as 1801-03-24.
Family and relationships (3/3 with a precise source)
- FatherDocumented
Peter III of Russia
The authority record identifies Peter III of Russia (GND 118740180) as father. - MotherDocumented
Catherine II of Russia
The authority record identifies Catherine II of Russia (GND 118560565) as mother. - Marriage or partnershipDocumented
Sophie Dorothea of Württemberg
The authority record identifies Sophie Dorothea of Württemberg (GND 11933075X) as spouse.
Governments (2/2 with a precise source)
- GovernmentDocumented
Emperor · Russia · 1796–1801
The authority record dates this office to 1796–1801. - GovernmentDocumented
Duke · Holstein · 1762–1773
Heir to the ducal share of Holstein, administered by Catherine II, until its delivery to Denmark at Kiel on 16 November 1773.Neue Deutsche Biographie · Peter III. · NDB 20 (2001), pp. 226–227 (Harm Klueting). Charles Peter Ulrich, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp and heir to its share of Holstein; ward of his uncle Adolf Frederick. After his death, his wife Empress Catherine II assumed the ducal share and exchanged it for Oldenburg and Delmenhorst through the Treaty of Tsarskoye Selo in 1773.Dansk Biografisk Leksikon · Caspar von Saldern · Negotiations for the exchange (mageskifte) of the Gottorp share of Holstein, postponed by Catherine II until Grand Duke Paul came of age; delivery took place at Kiel Castle on 16 November 1773, with Saldern representing Paul.
Biographical and contextual references (4)
Editorial history
- 2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
- 2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
Keep exploring
More paths from Paul I of Russia
Family
Peter III of RussiaEmperor1728 – 1762
Catherine II of Russia“the Great”Empress of Russia1729 – 1796Sophie Dorothea of Württemberg · ESEmpress consort1759 – 1828Alexander I of Russia · ESEmperor1777 – 1825Nicholas I of Russia · ESEmperor1796 – 1855Same dynasty
Charles XIII of SwedenKing1748 – 1818
Gustav III of SwedenKing1746 – 1792Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden · ESKing1778 – 1837Adolf Frederick of Sweden · ESKing1710 – 1771Joanna Elisabeth of Holstein-Gottorp · ESPrincess / Regent1712 – 1760Charles Frederick, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp · ESDuke1700 – 1739In their lifetime
Joanna Elisabeth of Holstein-Gottorp · ESPrincess / Regent1712 – 1760
Christian VII of DenmarkKing1749 – 1808Ivan VI of Russia · ESEmperor1740 – 1764Elizabeth of Russia · ESEmpress1709 – 1762Anthony Ulrich of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel · ESDuke1714 – 1774Albertine Frederica of Baden-Durlach · ESConsort1682 – 1755