Rodzianko, Mikhail

Born Feb. 9 (21), 1859; died Jan. 24, 1924. Russian political figure. One of the leaders of the Octobrist party.

Rodzianko was an important landowner in Ekaterinoslav Province. He was a member of the Council of State in 1906 and 1907. A deputy to the Third and Fourth State Dumas (1907–17), he became chairman of the Duma in 1911. He was initially linked with court circles and supported the policies of P. A. Stolypin. During World War I he formed a bloc with the Cadets and opposed the influence of Rasputin. After the victory of the February Revolution, Rodzianko headed the Provisional Committee of the State Duma of 1917. After the October Revolution, during the Civil War of 1918–20, he served in the army of General Denikin. In 1920, Rodzianko emigrated to Yugoslavia, where he died. His memoirs, The Reign of Rasputin: An Empire’s Decline, were published in 1927.