The youngest of Russian emperors, Ivan VI, spent most of his life forgotten in solitary confinement in a dank prison. His real name and identity were unknown even to the guards.
The story of Ivan VI's life is as tragic as Dumas' story, Man in the Iron Mask. While he never actually wore a mask, the little boy fell victim to Russian
court intrigue and lived almost his entire life in prison, further suffering the indignity of being deprived of his identity.
Our story begins on the night of Nov. 25, 1741 in the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. The reign of the youngest Russian emperor, lasting only for a year, ended abruptly when Elizabeth, daughter of Peter the Great, entered the bedroom of Ivan's parents, accompanied by soldiers of the royal guard.
