Peter III

Peter III (1728-1762), emperor of Russia (1762), son of Duke Charles Frederick of Holstein-Gottorp and his wife, Anna, daughter of Peter I of Russia. He was born in Kiel, Germany. In 1741, after the death of his father, he was adopted by his aunt, Empress Elizabeth. On his accession in 1762, Russia was at war with Prussia, whose ruler, Frederick II, the Great, Peter so greatly admired that he quickly concluded a peace treaty. He thereby sacrificed all the advantages Russia had gained during the Seven Years' War and antagonized many Russian nobles. The nobles, aided by Catherine, Peter's wife, deposed him on July 9, 1762. He abdicated the following day in favor of Catherine and was murdered on July 17.