Pyotr Saltykov

Who was Pyotr Saltykov?

Count Pyotr Semyonovich Saltykov was a Russian statesman and a military figure, russian general-fieldmarshal, son of Semyon Saltykov.

In 1714, Pyotr Saltykov was sent by Peter the Great to France to master the science of navigation and remained there for some 20 years. In 1759, during the Seven Years' War of 1756-1763, he was appointed commander-in-chief of the Russian army and would soon win a victory at Palzig and Kunersdorf.

In 1763, Pyotr Saltykov became commander-in-chief of Moscow and put in charge of the Moscow Senate Office. During Saltykov's term, they established a number of new post offices, restored Golovinsky and Kolomensky Palaces and a number of city gates. They also repaired most of the worn-out bridges across the Moscow River and continued dismantling the walls of the White City in order to provide building material for the construction of the Orphanage and restoration of the Arsenal. In April 1764, Saltykov reported to Saint Petersburg about the opening of the Moscow Orphanage. With the purpose of providing Muscovites with food, Pyotr Saltykov banned the removal of imported bread from the city and arranged wholesale purchases of bread from landowners. He also secured regular wine deliveries to Moscow, the need for which had been estimated at 575,000 vedros. Saltykov was also fighting against gambling.