born June 4, 1798, Khaapsalu, Estonia, Russian Empire
died Feb. 27, 1883, Baden-Baden, Ger.
Russian politician and diplomat.
A career diplomat, he became foreign minister in 1856, succeeding Karl, Count Three Emperors' League (1873). His influence waned when he was unable to maintain the League. At the conclusion of the Russo-Turkish War , he did little to shape the Treaty of San Stefano , which punished the defeated Turks, or its replacement at the Congress of {{link=Berlin, Congress of">Berlin , a settlement that was far less favourable to Russia.