Kyösti Kallio , 1873-1940, Finnish political leader. Of peasant background, he entered politics and was a vocal advocate of Finnish independence from Russia. Minister of agriculture in the newly independent government (1917-20, 1921-22), he was instrumental in inaugurating land redistribution. He served a number of times as prime minister (1922-24, 1925-26, 1929-30, and 1936-37) and was president of Finland from 1937 to Nov., 1940. Illness and strain brought on by the Finnish-Russian War of 1939-40 led to his resignation.
Author not available, KALLIO, KYÖSTI.,
The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition 2008
The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press
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