Princess Ekaterina Romanovna Dashkova, the only woman in the world to head two Academies of Sciences.

In her youth, she was close to the court and became one of the key figures supporting Catherine Alexeyevna in her rise to the throne. In 1758, Dashkova was introduced to Grand Duchess Catherine Alexeyevna as "a young girl who devotes almost all her time to learning," and they met personally. They were connected not only by friendship but also by a shared interest in literature.

Dashkova was respected among the best representatives of science and culture, valued as an art expert. Her musical works were successful in England. Ekaterina Romanovna was passionate about mineralogy (she donated her famous mineral collection, valued at 50,000 rubles, to Moscow University), as well as astronomy, cartography, economics, politics, and of course, literature.

Catherine II, known in Europe as a patron of sciences and arts, unexpectedly offered Dashkova the position of head of the Petersburg Academy of Sciences in 1783. The president of the academy, K.G. Razumovsky, did not interfere in her affairs, and Dashkova effectively performed his duties.

Although Dashkova did not make scientific discoveries, her organizational skills and pragmatic approach transformed the Academy of Sciences from a "gathering of famous scholars" into a "complex factory of scientific production." Communication with leading European specialists allowed her to objectively assess and support the work of world-class scientists, such as Leonhard Euler.

By putting finances and work processes in order, Ekaterina Romanovna focused on organizing scientific and educational activities: she opened public courses at the academy, revived the printing house and publishing house. Around her gathered recognized masters of Russian literature: G.R. Derzhavin, D.I. Fonvizin, M.M. Kheraskov, Ya.B. Knyazhnin, V.V. Kapnist, and others.