Bruce R.V. (1668-1720), commandant o Peter and Paul Fortress

Categories / Army. Navy/Personalia
BRUCE Roman Villimovich (1668-1720, St. Petersburg), statesman and military officer, Lieutenant General (1718?). Son of a Scottish emigrant, brother of Y. V. Bruce. Around 1695 commenced his military service in the "poteshny (fun) regiments" of Tsar Peter the Great, participating in the Azov (1695, 1696) and Narva (1700) campaigns, seizure of Noteburg (1702), Nyenschantz (1703), and foundation of St. Petersburg. 19 May 1704 appointed as Chief Commander of St. Petersburg, was in charge of the building of Peter and Paul Fortress (Kronverk was constructed on his personal initiative), of industrial and residential buildings, bridges, streets and canals, of the resettlement of inhabitants from other cities to St. Petersburg, of organising life and trade in the city. In 1704-05 he succeeded three times in repulsing attacks of the Swedish army. In 1706 commanded a corps, undertaking unsuccessful attacks to besiege Vyborg. In 1708 was F. M. Apraksin's second-in-command in rebutting the Swedish detachment of General G. Lubeker from St. Petersburg. In 1710 participated in the seizure of Vyborg, commanded troops in the seizure of Kexholm (now Priozersk). After the establishment of the Police Chancellery in 1718 he was in charge of military activities and development of St. Petersburg as a capital city. Buried at the Altar Wall of SS. Peter&Paul Cathedral (the Commandants' Cemetery started out with Bruce’ tomb).

G. V. Kalashnikov. Bruce Roman Villimovich
Shlisselburg Fortress.
St. Peter and Paul fortress
Kronverk (Crownwork)
Central Police Office