Catherine the Great Trivia Questions

She exchanged letters with Voltaire for 15 years and even bought Diderot's library when he needed money, letting him keep the books for life.

She purchased massive art collections, including works by Rembrandt and Rubens. Her private collection became the core of the Hermitage in St. Petersburg.

This is a persistent myth. She actually died of a stroke in her bed. The rumor was spread by her political enemies to discredit her.

She was born Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst in Prussia. She changed her name and converted to Russian Orthodoxy after marrying into the Romanov family.

No such tunnel existed. She was known for her many lovers, but they lived openly in the palace, not in secret underground passages.

Despite her Enlightenment ideals, she actually expanded serfdom, giving nobles more power over peasants to secure their political support.

In 1768, she secretly brought an English doctor to inoculate her and her son, setting an example that dramatically increased vaccination rates.

Abortion was not legalized under Catherine. She did, however, expand education and founded the first state-run school for girls.