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Ivan Nikolayevich Durnovo (Russian:Иван Николаевич Дурново, thepatronymic is also transcribed asNikolaevich; 13 March [O.S. 1 March] 1834 – 11 June [O.S. 29 May] 1903) was a Russian politician. He served asChairman of the Committee of Ministers between 1895 and 1903, the precursor to the post ofprime minister.
Ivan Nikolaevich Durnovo was born on 1 (13) March 1834 inKaluga Governorate to the nobleDurnovo family. He attendedPrince Michael Artillery Academy (Russian:Михайловская артиллерийская академия) inSaint Petersburg.
After a brief time in the military, he returned to civilian life and was elected by thenobility of hisuyezd (district) to the position of theMarshal of Nobility. Later he occupied a similar position for the entireChernigov Governorate. He served as the governor ofChernigov Governorate (1863–1870) andYekaterinoslav Governorate (1870–1882). From 1882 he was inSaint Petersburg, starting as a DeputyMinister of Interior (1882–1886).
Although not a capable statesman, he was a good communicator, capable to earn trust of his superiors. CountSergei Witte described him as "a pleasant Marshal of Nobility, a pleasant governor, a pleasant Deputy Minister of the Interior. But he was not a cultured or intelligent person; rather, one rather limited in his abilities. A hospitable, polite, and very cunning man."
On theEmpress's recommendation, in 1886 Durnovo was appointed the chair of the Fourth Section ofHis Imperial Majesty's Own Chancellery, the office responsible for charitable institution and health care. In 1889, after the death of theMinister of InteriorDmitry Tolstoy, Durnovo was appointed to replace him.
In social policy, Durnovo's tenure in office saw a reduction of working hours in 1897.[1] Durnovo was not known, however, for his innovations, but rather for following his predecessor's policies. His abilities were summarized by his staff in apun, "Не нашли хорошего, назначили Дурново" (They could not find a good minister, so they have appointed a bad [durnogo =Durnovo] one!").[2]Durnovo was blamed by later researchers for failing to take decisive actions to handle theRussian famine of 1891–92.[3]
In 1895, the next emperor,Nicholas II promoted Durnovo to the job of theChairman of the Committee of Ministers. At the time, this was the top of the Russian bureaucratic ladder, as the separate position of thePrime Minister of Russia was not introduced until 1905. Durnovo was not to see that reform, though: he died on the job, on 29 May (11 June, in Gregorian Calendar) 1903, nearBerlin. His leadership qualities, not entirely admired by his colleagues, earned him the nickname of "Veal's Head" (In Russian: "Телячья голова").
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Minister of Interior 1889–1895 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chairman of the Committee of Ministers 1895–1903 | Succeeded by |
