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On September 22, 1762 Catherine the Great was crowned empress of all Russia. During her reign as empress, she is remembered as being one of the greatest reformers of Russian history. Her rule was one of the most prosperous periods of the Russian Empire. Catherine was industrious, highly intelligent and strong willed. Her work had an exceptionally constructive effect on Russia and her people. She strove to enlighten Russia by expanding Russian rule, starting a functional school board, funding hospitals and codifying the laws. Catherine was born on April 21, 1729 in Strettin (now Szczecin), Poland. At the age of fifteen, Catherine went to Russia to become the wife of Peter Feodorovich. When Peter died Catherine became absolute ruler and empress of the largest European empire. Unlike Peter, she did not forcibly conscript society into the service of the state, but rather encouraged individual ingenuity in pursuit of self interest, “I have preferred humanity and indulgence toward human nature…” (Anthony 326) To learn the needs of the country, in 1767 Catherine gathered an assembly. It was entitled the Law Code Commission, made up of elected nobility, townsfolk and state peasants. Drafts were written by those electives, and thou