Russian Fyodor Ivanovich
born May 31, 1557, Moscow, Russia
died Jan. 7, 1598, Moscow
Tsar of Russia (1584–98) whose death ended the rule of the Rurik dynasty.
The son of Ivan IV , Fyodor was feebleminded and took no part in the government, which was dominated by his wife's brother, Boris Godunov . Godunov was responsible for the major achievements of Fyodor's reign, including elevation of the metropolitan see of Russia to a patriarchate (1589), recovery of lands near the Gulf of Finland (1595), and strengthening of Russia's control over western Siberia and territory in the Caucasus. The childless Fyodor was succeeded by Godunov.