Mikhail Mikhailovich Speranski

Mikhail Mikhailovich Speranski , 1772-1839, Russian public official, chief adviser to Czar Alexander I (1808-12). The son of a village priest, he rose as a civil servant, particularly after the accession of Alexander I. He proved an outstanding administrator, and in 1809 he drew up proposals for a constitution at Alexander's request. His plan called for some popular participation in legislation and for administrative reorganization of the country to provide limited local self-government; Alexander never adopted his proposals. Speranski did succeed in some reforms. He reorganized several ministries, emphasizing promotion on the basis of merit, and introduced a progressive income tax on the nobles. His proposals antagonized both nobles and bureaucrats, and shortly before the Napoleonic invasion of Russia they accused him of secret dealings with the French. Alexander exiled him in Mar., 1812. Speranski later returned to public service as governor of Penza (1816) and governor-general of Siberia (1819). He went back to St. Petersburg in 1821 but never regained his influence with Alexander. Under Nicholas I he was responsible for the codification (1833) of Russian law.

Speransky, Mikhail Mikhailovich, Count (1772–1839) Russian statesman, chief adviser to ALEXANDER I. After the defeat of Russia by Napoleon and the Treaty of TILSIT, he drew up, at the emperor's request, a constitution that proposed popular participation in legislation; this was only partially implemented. He increased the burden of taxation on the nobility and sought to educate the bureaucracy, establishing promotion on the basis of merit. In doing so he incurred the enmity of both the aristocracy and the bureaucrats, and was charged (1812) with treason and secret dealings with the French, and sent into exile. Reinstated four years later, he rejoined the council of state (1821) and spent his final years codifying Russian law.