She also published prolifically, with original and translated works on many subjects,[4] and was invited by Benjamin Franklin to become the first female member of the American Philosophical Society.

She also developed an interest in politics at a very young age and was allowed by her uncle to go through his papers, reading diplomatic letters from Russian ambassadors to illustrious foreigners like the Emperor of China (the content of which she describes in her memoirs), which gave her an inside look at how diplomacy worked.

Just like her older sisters, Yekaterina went to live at the Russian court when she became a teenager and, by favour of her godmother Empress Elizabeth I, appointed as one of her maids-of-honour.

There, she became acquainted with the Grand Duchess Ekaterina Alexeyevna, 14 years older than her, and the pair bonded over their love of literature, particularly French Enlightenment authors, like Voltaire.

Her nephew ascended the throne, began undoing her policies and kept a submissive position towards his idol and Russia's enemy, Frederick the Great, much to the displeasure of his court and military.

However, their friendship gave place to a more estranged relationship as Yekaterina often disliked the men the Empress took as lovers, and often resented the graces and devotion shown to them.

There were also some tensions over what Catherine the Great called in her letters an exaggerated account of her friend taking the lead part in the coup d'état.

She also met Benjamin Franklin in the French capital on February 3, 1781 [5] and the two became close friends, corresponding frequently and showing mutual respect and admiration.

Yekaterina also corresponded with Garrick, Dr. Blair, and Principal William Robertson, meeting them during her visit to the United Kingdom and entrusting the education of her son Pavel to the latter.

[7] Having recovered from her duel wound, she traveled to Ireland to visit her friend Lady Catherine Hamilton,[8] daughter of John Ryder, the Archbishop of Tuam.

Eventually, the exile was ended after a petition of her friends and she was allowed to spend the last years of her life on her rural estate in Troitskoye [ru], west of Moscow.

Martha was like a daughter to the princess, who even called the Anglo-Irish woman Mavra Romanovna as if she had actually adopted her, leaving her a fortune and some material possessions upon her death.

Besides her work on the 6-volume dictionary of the Russian Languages, Yekaterina edited a monthly magazine, and wrote at least two novels: The Marriage of Fabian and a comedy entitled Toissiokoff.

The Princess and the Patriot: Ekaterina Dashkova, Benjamin Franklin and the Age of Enlightenment exhibition was held in Philadelphia, USA from February to December 2006.