The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Abaza, Alexsander Agreievich

ABAZA, Alexsander Agreievich, ä-grā-yā′vich, äbä′zä, Russian statesman: b. 1821; d. Nice, 1895. He was descended from a noble family of Moldavia, completed his education at the University of Petrograd and, in 1839, entered the military service in which he distinguished himself in the Caucasus, being wounded several times and being invested with the order of St. Vladimir. However he abandoned the service and joined the educational and humanitarian circles presided over by Grand Duchess Helena Pavlovna. He soon was appointed master of ceremonies at the court of the princess. In 1865 he was elected a member of the council in the Ministry of Finance in which capacity he rendered important service to the financial and economic department of his vast country. He retired from public life in 1892 and, until his death, traveled extensively through Europe. He was not in favor of the reforms of Alexander II (q. v.), which were passed before he had any substantial power in his hands to oppose them effectively. But as Minister of Finance he suddenly changed and became one of the most fervent supporters of the reforms.