Dorothea Lieven, princess of, a Russian diplomatist, born in Riga about 1785, died in Paris, Jan. 27, 1857. Her father, Christoph von Benkendorff, originally belonging to the inferior gentry of Esthonia, pushed his fortunes by the aid of his wife, a German woman of low origin, who was a chambermaid and favorite of the empress of Paul I. Dorothea received a brilliant education, and at an early age married the prince Christoph Lieven, who was ambassador in 1811 - '12 at the court of Prussia. Here the remarkable aptitude of the princess in dealing with public affairs and her eminent social qualities found full display, and she not only controlled the main springs of political action in Berlin, but succeeded in shaping the opinions of the court of St. Petersburg by her extensive official and private correspondence. In 1812 her husband was transferred to the court of St. James, where she became as conspicuous as she had been in Berlin, and until 1834 held a leading position in the highest social and political circles of England. In the latter year Prince Lieven was recalled and appointed governor of the cesarevitch (now Alexander II.), and for some time his wife discharged his functions as tutor as efficiently as she had acquitted herself of his diplomatic duties.

In 1837, desiring a change in consequence of family afflictions, she removed to Paris, where she took up her residence in the hotel Talleyrand. After the death of her husband, which occurred in Rome, Jan. 10, 1839, she continued to reside in Paris, and her house became a favorite resort of the chief political, literary, artistic, and social celebrities of that metropolis. Politicians, diplomatists, and ladies of all parties met at her receptions; and the principal business of the Russian embassy was done in her boudoirs. She was on terms of personal friendship with almost every eminent statesman of her time, excepting Lord Pal-merston, who distrusted her influence, and of whom she became accordingly an unrelenting enemy. Guizot was her most devoted admirer. After the revolution of Feb. 24, 1848, she removed to London, but returned to Paris during the presidency of Louis Napoleon, and resumed her receptions in the hotel Talleyrand, which was regarded as the headquarters of the Orleans party. After the proclamation of the empire her saloon became again of great political importance, the princess aiding the Russian ambassador Count Kisseleff in keeping the court of St. Petersburg informed of the progress of events.

After the outbreak of the Crimean war, when Kisseleff and the principal Russian residents of Paris retired to Brussels, the princess went also; but in January, 1855, she sought and received, under the plea of ill health, permission to return to Paris, where she lived in retirement until after the restoration of peace in 1856, when her hotel was again thrown open to her friends. Early in January, 1857, her health began to fail; but she was in full possession of her mental powers to the last moment. She was a Protestant.