Boris Sturmer

Boris Sturmer was born in Russia in 1848. A member of the Russian civil service, Sturmer became Governor of Yaroslavl. In February, 1916, Sturmer was surprisingly appointed by Nicholas II to replace Ivan Goremykin as prime minister.

Alexander Kerensky disagreed with this decision: "Sturmer, an extreme reactionary who hated the very idea of any form of popular representation or local self-government. Even more important, he was undoubtedly a believer in the need for an immediate cessation of the war with Germany."

Bernard Pares, the British Military Observer to the Russian Army, was also highly critical of this appointment: "Sturmer was a shallow and dishonest creature, without even the merit of courage. Sturmer was prepared to pose as a semi-liberal and to try in this way to keep the Duma quiet. Rasputin backed Sturmer, and also the Empress, and he was suddenly appointed Prime Minister on February 2nd and to the surprise of everyone, and most of all Goremykin, who, as was usual with the Emperor, had never been given the idea that he was even in danger."

A well-known opponent of democratic government, Sturmer was much hated by the Duma. The following month he also became Minister of the Interior and in July, 1916, replaced Sergei Sazonov at the foreign office. In poor health, Sturmer was an incompetent minister and rumours circulated that along with Alexandra and Gregory Rasputin, was involved in negotiating a peace agreement with Germany and Austria-Hungary.

Nicholas II came under considerable pressure from the Duma concerning Sturmer and in November, 1916, he was removed Sturmer from office. After the February Revolution, the Provisional Government had Sturmer arrested.

Boris Sturmer died in prison on 2nd September, 1917.

Primary Sources

(1) Bernard Pares, a British academic, met several of the leading political figures in Russia during the summer of 1914.

Sturmer was a shallow and dishonest creature, without even the merit of courage. Sturmer was prepared to pose as a semi-liberal and to try in this way to keep the Duma quiet. Rasputin backed Sturmer, and also the Empress, and he was suddenly appointed Prime Minister on February 2nd and to the surprise of everyone, and most of all Goremykin, who, as was usual with the Emperor, had never been given the idea that he was even in danger.

(2) Alexander Kerensky, Russia and History's Turning Point (1965)

On January 19, Goremykin was replaced by Sturmer, an extreme reactionary who hated the very idea of any form of popular representation or local self-government. Even more important, he was undoubtedly a believer in the need for an immediate cessation of the war with Germany.

During his first few months in office, Sturmer was also Minister of Interior, but the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs was still held by Sazonov, who firmly advocated honouring the alliance with Britain and France and carrying on the war to the bitter end, and who recognized the Cabinet's obligation to pursue a policy in tune with the sentiments of the majority in the Duma.

On August 9, however, Sazonov was suddenly dismissed. His portfolio was taken over by Sturmer, and on September 16, Protopopov was appointed acting Minister of the Interior. The official government of the Russian Empire was now entirely in the hands of the Tsarina and her advisers.