Ivan Shuvalov

Ivan Ivanovich Shuvalov was called the Maecenas (patron) of the Russian Enlightenment, the first Russian Minister of Education and Active Privy Councillor (1773). Russia's first theatre, university, and academy of arts were instituted with his active participation. A favorite of Elizaveta Petrovna of Russia and a friend of the scientist M.V. Lomonosov.