Pyotr Bark
Encyclopedia
Pyotr Lvovich Bark later Sir Peter Bark, (18 April 1869- 16 January1937) was an Russian statesman.
, He was descended from a noble family from Latvia. His father Karl Ludwig Bark (later Ludwig Genrikhovich after converty to the Russian Orthodox faith) was a forestry manager for the Royal forests.
After studying law in St. Petersburg university, Pyotr Bark entered Credit Chancellery of the Ministry of Finance
in 1891. Later he acted as a private secretary to the governor of the State Bank of Russia
. In 1903 he went to Berlin to study banking with Mendelssohn & Co.
On his return he was appointed manager of the foreign department of the State Bank. Later he became deputy Governor of the State Bank.
He resigned from his post in 1907 to accept appointment in private Volga-Kama Bank.
In 1911 Bark was appointed Assistant Minister of Commerce and Industry; In 1914 he was appointed Minister of Finance, replacing Vladimir Kokovtsov
. He served in that position throughout the First World War until the abdication of Nicholas II.
Although briefly detained by the Provisional Government
he was soon released after which he immigrated to the west. Held the position of Managing-Director of the Anglo-International Bank based in London. Knighted by King George V of the United Kingdom
and the other realms in 1935 for his contributions to banking industry.
Bark married Baronness Sofia Leopoldovna von Behr (1867-1957) and had two children: a daughter, Nina (1900-1975) and a son, Georgiy (1904-1936)
Bark died in Aubagne
, France and is buried in the Russian cemetery in Nice.
Biography
Bark was born in Novotroitskoye village in Yekaterinoslav GovernorateYekaterinoslav Governorate
The Yekaterinoslav Governorate or Government of Yekaterinoslav was a governorate in the Russian Empire. Its capital was the city of Yekaterinoslav .-Administrative divisions:...
, He was descended from a noble family from Latvia. His father Karl Ludwig Bark (later Ludwig Genrikhovich after converty to the Russian Orthodox faith) was a forestry manager for the Royal forests.
After studying law in St. Petersburg university, Pyotr Bark entered Credit Chancellery of the Ministry of Finance
Ministry of Finance of the Russian Empire
Ministry of Finance — one of the Russian Empire's central public institutions, in charge of financial and economic policy.Ministry was established on 8 September 1802, and reorganized in 1810-11.By the end of 19th century, it consisted of a:...
in 1891. Later he acted as a private secretary to the governor of the State Bank of Russia
State Bank of the Russian Empire
The State Bank of the Russian Empire was the main bank of the Russian Empire from 1860 to 1917. This bank is considered to be the predecessor of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation.- History :...
. In 1903 he went to Berlin to study banking with Mendelssohn & Co.
Mendelssohn & Co.
Mendelssohn & Co. was a private bank residing in Berlin, Germany. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it was one of the preeminent banking houses in Europe....
On his return he was appointed manager of the foreign department of the State Bank. Later he became deputy Governor of the State Bank.
He resigned from his post in 1907 to accept appointment in private Volga-Kama Bank.
In 1911 Bark was appointed Assistant Minister of Commerce and Industry; In 1914 he was appointed Minister of Finance, replacing Vladimir Kokovtsov
Vladimir Kokovtsov
Count Vladimir Nikolayevich Kokovtsov was a Russian prime minister during the reign of Nicholas II of Russia.- Biography :...
. He served in that position throughout the First World War until the abdication of Nicholas II.
Although briefly detained by the Provisional Government
Russian Provisional Government
The Russian Provisional Government was the short-lived administrative body which sought to govern Russia immediately following the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II . On September 14, the State Duma of the Russian Empire was officially dissolved by the newly created Directorate, and the country was...
he was soon released after which he immigrated to the west. Held the position of Managing-Director of the Anglo-International Bank based in London. Knighted by King George V of the United Kingdom
George V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
and the other realms in 1935 for his contributions to banking industry.
Bark married Baronness Sofia Leopoldovna von Behr (1867-1957) and had two children: a daughter, Nina (1900-1975) and a son, Georgiy (1904-1936)
Bark died in Aubagne
Aubagne
Aubagne is a commune located east of Marseille in the Bouches-du-Rhône department in southern France.The French Foreign Legion has its headquarters there...
, France and is buried in the Russian cemetery in Nice.