Correspondence between Catherine II and the Physician-philosopher J. G. von Zimmermann: New Archival Materials

The author of this paper presents a reconstruction of the strategy of correspondence between Catherine II and the Swiss-German philosopher J. G. von Zimmermann, which spanned from 1785 to 1792. The article examines the reasons behind the shift in the nature of the empress’s letters which has never been done previously. These letters, which had previously been friendly messages between partners engaged in intellectual communication, began to take on the form of imperial rescripts. Zimmermann’s study also delved into the mechanisms behind the European reputation of Catherine II. These included her portrayal as a “philosopher on the throne” and her epithet “Cybele, mistress of the world.” This latter allegory is seen in Zimmermann’s final letter and had a significant impact on the political events of the era. By engaging in epistolary dialogue with European intellectuals who influenced public opinion, Catherine was able to develop a successful model of foreign political communication. This model allowed her to adopt and rethink the general cultural and civilizational achievements of Europe while simultaneously strengthening the political significance of the Russian Empire. Initially, Zimmermann, the author of popular philosophical treatises, was perceived by Catherine as one of her esteemed European correspondents and educators. They engaged in discussions pertaining to matters of concern to her regarding the organization of the Russian Empire, shared literary works and gifts, extended invitations to him to visit St Petersburg, and even accompanied him on a journey to Russia. However, during 1789, a clear shift occurred, associated with both the French Revolution and a reassessment of Zimmermann’s character. The French Revolution prompted a change in Catherine’s attitude towards the values of the Enlightenment, while Zimmermann’s involvement in political scandals with the Berlin circle of enlighteners led to a reevaluation of his character. From this point forward, Catherine’s correspondence exhibited a pronounced political tenor, reflecting her view of him as a confidant of King Frederick William II and a conduit for influencing Prussian foreign policy. If the entirety of Catherine’s letters were to be published from the original sources, which are housed within the Zimmermann archive of the Hanoverian Library of Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, then it would be evident that Zimmermann’s letters were only partially published. This article introduces previously unpublished letters of Zimmermann, which are currently kept in the RGADA (Fund 5, Correspondence of High-ranking Individuals with Private Individuals), into scholarly discourse. Additionally, it engages with the network of his German correspondents, particularly the correspondence with the philosopher and publisher Friedrich Nicolai, which is in the Department of Manuscripts of the Berlin State Library (Fund 84, Heritage of Friedrich Nicolai).