Yakov Shakhovskoy

In the middle of 1730s Yakov Shakhovsky served under his uncle, who governed Malorossia from December 1731, and on his behalf often personally reported to Empress Anna Ioanovna and Duke Biron on the Ukrainian affairs.

After the deaths of his uncle in April 1737, Shakhovsky was forced to leave the civil service and took part in the Russo-Turkish War with the Leib-Guard Сavalry regiment.

When Empress Elizabeth of Russia usurped the throne, all the protectors of Shakhovsky were arrested and he was forced to retire, yet the patronage of Prince Nikita Trubetskoy helped him secure the position of the General-Prosecutor of the Most Holy Synod.

Shakhovsky gained reputation as the most exacting prosecutor in decades and earned the animosity of many powerful clerics, who entreated Elizabeth to remove Shakhovskoy from his post.

The short reign of Peter III ended with a coup d'etat, and Catherine II returned Shakhovsky for the service, appointing him a senator.