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Article: Poniatowski, Stanisław II Augustus (1732–1798; Ruled 1764–1795)
- Article from:
- Europe, 1450 to 1789: Encyclopedia of the Early Modern World
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PONIATOWSKI, STANIS
Ł
AW II AUGUSTUS (1732
–
1798; ruled 1764
–
1795)
PONIATOWSKI, STANIS
Ł
AW II AUGUSTUS
(1732
–
1798; ruled 1764
–
1795), king of Poland. In his youth Poniatowski traveled across Holland, France, and England (1748
–
1754), learning much about the civilization and culture of these countries, which made him take a critical view of the situation in his own country. After his return, he became Poland's envoy in St. Petersburg (1757
–
1758), where he had a love affair with the Grand Duchess Catherine (later Catherine II the Great), wife of the heir to the Russian throne. He deluded himself into thinking that this would help him gain ...