Chicherin, Georgi Vasilievich (1872–1936)

Russian diplomat. After graduating from St Petersburg University he worked in the archives department of the Russian Foreign Office. In 1904 he emigrated to Berlin, Germany, and there joined the Russian Social Democratic Workers' party, becoming a prominent member of the Menshevik faction. For many years he was active in the labour movements of Britain, France, and Germany. After the Bolsheviks seized power in Russia in 1917, Chicherin became a Bolshevik, and was imprisoned in Brixton Prison for having enemy associations. In January 1918 he was released and expelled from Britain in exchange for George Buchanan. He then returned to Russia. Chicherin was appointed commissar (minister) for Foreign Affairs; he negotiated and signed the Treaty of Rapallo with Germany in 1922 and subsequently played a role in the formation of the USSR.