23 Facts About Alexander Guchkov

Alexander Ivanovich Guchkov was a Russian politician, Chairman of the Third Duma and Minister of War in the Russian Provisional Government.

Unlike most of the conservative politicians of that time, Guchkov did not belong to the Russian nobility.

Alexander Guchkov's father, the grandson of a peasant, was a factory owner of some means, whose family came from a stock of Old Believers who had acknowledged the authority of the Russian Orthodox Church while keeping their ancient ritual.

Alexander Guchkov studied history and humanities at the Moscow State University, and, after having gone through his military training in a grenadier regiment, left for Germany where he read political economy in Berlin under Schmoller.

Alexander Guchkov rode alone on horseback through Mongolia to western Siberia, and narrowly escaped being slaughtered by a mob.

Alexander Guchkov became known for his hazardous acts, which included volunteering for the Boer army in the Second Boer War under General Smuts, where he was wounded and taken prisoner.

Alexander Guchkov was elected by the Moscow municipal Duma to be a member of the executive, and took active part in the self-government of the city.

Alexander Guchkov wanted military reforms, including the transfer of certain controls from the court to the Duma and the government.

In October 1906, Alexander Guchkov became the head of the conservative liberal Union of 17 October.

Alexander Guchkov had the hope that the Tsar's government would recognize the necessity of great reforms and work with the moderate liberals of the Zemstvos, while safeguarding the monarchical principle.

When this project came to grief, Alexander Guchkov continued to support Stolypin.

Alexander Guchkov was Chairman of the Duma's Committee of Imperial Defence, which had a veto over the military budget.

Alexander Guchkov attacked the "irresponsible influences" at the Russian court and the shortcomings of the Ministry of War in preparing for the inevitable conflict with Germany.

Alexander Guchkov is connected with spreading letters between Tsarina Alexandra and Rasputin.

Alexander Guchkov became the head of Military-Industrial Committee, an organization created by industrial magnates in order to supply the army.

In July 1915 Alexander Guchkov was elected chair of the Central War Industry Committee.

In October 1915 Alexander Guchkov became more revolutionary and involved in the preparations of a coup.

In December 1916 Alexander Guchkov came to the painful conclusion the situation could only improve when the Tsar was replaced.

Alexander Guchkov reported that members of the Progressive Bloc would consider a coup d'etat to force the government to deal with the Duma.

Alexander Guchkov was forced to resign after public unrest, caused by Milyukov's Note.

Alexander Guchkov supported Lavr Kornilov and was arrested after the Kornilov Affair, but released the next day.

Alexander Guchkov was an active member of the irregular freemasonic lodge, the Grand Orient of Russia's Peoples.

Alexander Guchkov has become something of a cult figure in recent years: his reputation in Russia has grown after a documentary on the main state channel, which included an interview with then-President Vladimir Putin.