Ivan Vyshnegradsky was Russia's Finance minister from 1887-1892.

Past Life

Born in a priests family, Ivan Vyshnegradsky graduated from the Tver Theological Seminary and later from the Main Pedagogical Institute. He later taught maths and mechanics at St. Petersburg military educational institutions. By the time he was appointed a government minister his fortune was nearly a million roubles due to his participation in several joint-stock companies as well as being a renowned and talented entrepreneur. In 1884 Ivan Vyshnegradsky became a member of the Council of Ministers of Public Instruction and drew up a program for technical education.

Ivan Vyshnegradsky as Russian Finance Minister

By 1886 Ivan Vyshnegradsky was appointed a member of the State Council

State Council of Imperial Russia

The State Council was the supreme state advisory body to the Tsar in Imperial Russia.-18th century:Early Tsars' Councils were small and dealt primarily with the external politics....

 and in 1887 became the head of the Ministry of Finance. Similar to his predecessor Nikolai Bunge

Nikolay Bunge

Nikolai Khristianovich Bunge was the preeminent architect of Russian capitalism under Alexander III. He was a distinguished economist, statesman, and academician of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences....

, Vyshnegradsky pursued a policy aimed at the settlement of the budget deficit, stronger government interference in private railways and the nationalisation of the least profitable railways as well as the support of domestic industry and preparation of monetary reform. Ivan Vyshnegradsky achieved this by; increasing direct taxes, pushing for an export drive and increasing railway lines. Although achieving a balanced budget, accumulating gold reserves and strengthening the rouble Ivan Vyshnegradsky work was criticised in light of his contradictory taxes on peasants leading to the 1891-2 Famine.