Pierre Theremin, the son of a Huguenot pastor, was born in 1764 in Gramsow/Gross-Ziethen in Prussia and apprenticed as engraver and jeweller in Berlin to one of his brothers, perhaps Francois-Claude, who worked with him later in St Petersburg. After travelling to Geneva and Paris at a difficult time politically, he settled in 1793 in St Petersburg where he was to marry Marianne Duval of the celebrated family of traders. He was appointed bijoutier de la Cour and alderman of the Foreigners
