Catherine the Great's reign is explored through her deep engagement with French Enlightenment ideals, revealing her fascination with political and social reforms. Professor Gorbatov's extensive research highlights her active patronage of French arts and philosophers, including a nuanced relationship with Rousseau. This engagement not only influenced her educational reforms but also shaped the intellectual landscape among the Russian aristocracy and emerging professional classes. The book connects these dynamics to the broader political upheavals of the French Revolution and subsequent historical events.
