Before 1904 was governor-general of various provinces; 1904 became Minister of the Interior following assassination of V.K. Plehve; Considered a moderate liberal, as demonstrated by his repeal of censorship measures and release of exiled zemstvo leaders; November 1904 proposed inclusion of zemstvos in the State Council to Tsar Nicholas II, but this was rejected and led to further tension between the government and proponents of reform; January 15, 1905 dismissed as Minister of the Interior after Bloody Sunday.