Viktor Pavlovich Kochubei

Born Nov. 11 (22), 1768; died June 3 (15), 1834, in Moscow. Russian diplomat and statesman; count (from 1799); prince (from 1831); and state chancellor of internal affairs (1834).

From 1792 to 1797, Kochubei was an envoy to Turkey; in 1798 he became vice-chancellor, and in 1801–02 administrator, of the Collegium of Foreign Affairs. He was an advocate of moderate reforms and was close to Alexander I; in 1801–03 he participated in the work of the Secret Committee. From 1802 to 1807 and from 1819 to 1823 he was minister of foreign affairs. After the enthronement of Nicholas I (1825) he was placed at the head of secret committees that were created to prepare plans for state reorganizations. In 1827 he became chairman of the State Council and the Committee of Ministers.