The Russian administrator and field marshal Grigori Aleksandrovich Potemkin (1739-1791), a favorite of Catherine the Great, is best known for his work in the economic development of southern Russia.

Grigori Potemkin the son of a minor nobleman, was born on Sept. 13, 1739, in Chizhovo, a village of western Russia. At an early age he was taken to Moscow, where his formal education began. Intelligent and alert, he did commendably well in his preparatory studies. Later, while attending the University of Moscow, he lost all interest in scholarly pursuits and became so negligent that, in 1760, he was expelled. He left Moscow then, going to St. Petersburg to serve in the Horse Guards Regiment.

Two years later Potemkin took part in the coup that placed Catherine II (the Great) on the throne. In so doing, he gained the favorable attention of the new empress, who was inclined to be very generous...