Elizaveta Petrovna

The article gives an overview of the reports, notes and memoires about Russia written by the French diplomats of the mid-eighteenth century – Marquis de La Chétardie, Count d’Allion, Chevalier d’Éon, Marquis de L’Hôpital, de la Messelière, Favier. «Secret anecdotes about the court of the Empress of All-Russia» by d’Éon are introduced for a scientific consideration. The author notes the peculiarities of each work and at the same time highlights the common features that characterize the views of French diplomats about Russia at the time of Empress Elizaveta Petrovna.

The article attempts to give a general overview of the existing points of view in Russian historiography about the personality and state activity of A. I. Osterman. It is concluded that an important role in forming the idea of Osterman was played by political propaganda during the reign of Elizabeth. As a result, in Russian historical literature at all stages of its development, there was a tendency to see this political figure exclusively as an intriguer and adventurer.