Ivan Ivanovich Neplyuyev (Russian:Ива́н Ива́нович Неплю́ев; 15 November 1693 – 22 November 1773) was a Russian diplomat and administrator prominent in the service ofPeter the Great andCatherine the Great. His memoirs were published posthumously and his statue may be seen inOrenburg, the city he founded.
Neplyuev was born into an impoverished noble family inPoddubye nearNovgorod. He enrolled at the local mathematical school in 1714, transferred to the Petersburg Naval Academy and then furthered his education in the naval service ofVenice andSpain. He returned to Russia in 1720, winning accolades from Peter I for his learning and wit. As a reward, he was asked to supervise the wharves ofSaint Petersburg.
In 1721, the Tsar dispatched Neplyuev as a secret envoy toConstantinople, where he would remain until 1734. He took part in the abortive Congress ofNemirov in 1737 and in the negotiations leading to theBelgrade Peace Treaty (1739). AfterElizaveta Petrovna ascended the throne, Neplyuev was accused of irregularities and fell into disgrace, as many other dignitaries of the previous reign did.
In 1742 Neplyuev gained pardon and was sent to govern theOrenburgkrai. During sixteen years of his governance, the city of Orenburg was moved to its present location and some 70 forts were built along theSamara River,Tobol River and other waterways. He founded 13 iron founderies and 28 copper plants and subdued aBashkir uprising, led byBatarma Aleyev.
In 1760, Neplyuev was recalled to St. Petersburg and appointed asenator. Catherine II prized his experience and competence and left the capital to his administration during her visits to other parts of the country. He remained in charge of theSaint Petersburg Governorate for two years, before settling into retirement in Poddubye.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary (in Russian). 1906.{{cite encyclopedia}}:Missing or empty|title= (help)| International | |
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