Biren, Ernest

JOHN, DUKE OF COURLAND, a Lithuanian of mean family, was B. 1690, and repaired in 1714 to St. Petersburg. Anna, duche -dowager of Courland, made him her favorite, and when she became Empre of Ru ia, intrusted to him the administration of the kingdom. (See ANNA.) On the death of the empre he a umed the regency, by virtue of her will; but, in 1740, a conspiracy was formed against him by Marshal Munich, and he was condemned to death, which sentence was changed to banishment. Peter III. recalled him, and Catherine II. restored him to his former dignity. In 1763, B. re-entered Mitau; and, profiting by the le ons of misfortune he had experienced, governed for the remainder of his life with mildne and justice. D. 1772.