Aprax'in, Feodor

MATEIEVITCH, a distinguished Ru ian admiral, B. 1671. He may be considered as the creator of the Ru ian navy, and was the most powerful and influential person at the court of Peter the Great, who made him chief-admiral. In 1708, he defeated the Swedish general, Lübecker, în In germ ann land, and saved the newly built city of St. Petersburg from destruction. In 1713, he took Helsingfors and Borgo, and defeated the Swedish fleet. He was twice charged with embezzlement, tried, and condemned to pay a fine; but being too useful to be dispensed with, Peter, in both instances, neutralized the effects of the condemnation, by conferring upon him additional riches and dignities. D. 1724.