Karl (Charles) Frederick HOLSTEINGOTTORP, DUKE

                   After the death of his father, Duke Charles Frederick of Holstein-Gottorp, he was adopted b y his aunt, Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, Empress of Russia who named Peter as her successor. On July 9, 1762, following a pattern well established in 18th century Russia, the Imperial Guards overthrew Peter III and placed his wife, Catherine (Catherine the Great) on the throne in his stead. Formerly: Grand Duke Peter of Holstein, heir to the Russian throne. His reign: 1761-62; Erratic, unstable and contemptuous of his Russian subjects, he soon alienated several important groups in Russian society. Peter III was forced to abdicate and was subsequently murdered on July 17, 1762