1883 became Director of the Russian Police after serving in the military; 1893 dismissed from post as director due to a scandal involving a conflict with the Spanish Ambassador; 1900 Durnovo returned to serve as Assistant Minister of the Interior; October 23, 1905 became acting Minister of the Interior in place of Aleksandr Bulygin; April 22, 1906 left ministerial post due to conflicts with Prime Minister Stolypin; Subsequently Durnovo was appointed to the State Council, where he led the conservative faction. Served until his death and fought to preserve the monarchy; 1914 wrote a memorandum correctly foreshadowing the imminent World War and the collapse of the Russian Empire; Known for his opposition to Russia’s entry into World War I; 1915 died in Petrograd.