Biron, Ernst Johann

(1690-1772), governor-regent with juvenile Ivan VI Antonovich (17 October - 9 November 1740). The Duke of Courland and Semigalsky (from 1737). Favorite of the Empress Anna Ioannovna. In the last period of her reign took Updated Guard at the expense of those from tax-paying estates. During the regency reduced poll tax, pardoned convicted in several cases. The court prohibited the wearing of dresses made of expensive fabrics. The efforts of police control in St. Petersburg. During the coup, . Minich carried out in favor of Anna Leopoldovna November 9, 1740, . was arrested and charged in the absence of religious, . forcible seizure regency office, . intention to remove from the country's imperial family to usurp power in Russia in their native,
. Commission Biron sentenced to be quartered, replaced Anna Leopoldovna reference in Pelym and confiscation of all property. At 1742g. returned from Pelyma Elizabeth and exiled to Yaroslavl. After the accession of Peter III returned from exile and restored in the ranks (1762). In August of that year, Catherine II returned the Duchy of Courland Biron, where he went. Died Mitau at the end of 1772