Apraxin

Apraxin, FEODOR, COUNT, creator of the Russian navy and court favourite, was born in 1671. Entering the navy, he rapidly rose to be admiral. In 1708 he defeated the Swedes; in 1710 he captured Viborg, in Finland; and in 1711 commanded in the Black Sea during the Turkish war. Again, in 1713, he conducted the war with Sweden so successfully that Russia was confirmed in her possession of Finland, just conquered, and of Esthonia. In 1714, however, and again in 1718, he was charged with responsibility in connection with embezzlement, tried, and condemned to pay a fine; but in spite of this and his opposition to many of Peter's reforms, his services were too useful to be dispensed with. In 1722 he accompanied Peter in his Persian war. He died in 1728.