State Chancellery

Categories / Capital/Superior and Central State Institutions
STATE CHANCELLERY, a State Assembly office, instituted on 1 January 1810 in accordance with state reforms conceived by M.M. Speransky, who became its first director. The Chancellery was headed by the Secretary of State, and was divided into several departments, each headed by a separate secretary. The Chancellery prepared hearings for suits, processed and registered pleadings, and prepared extracts from these for the Emperor (so-called memoriums). The Chancellery was also in charge of the State Assembly Archive. Due to its key position in the Russian Empire's administrative system, the State Chancellery was similar to the Officials' Guards at the turn of the 19th - 20th centuries in that it served as training ground for a number of ministers. Initially, the Chancellery was located in the Winter Palace; in 1885, it was transferred to the Mariinsky Palace together with the State Assembly. It was abolished in 1917.

References: Государственная канцелярия, 1810-1910. СПб., 1910; Высшие и центральные государственные учреждения России, 1801-1917 гг. СПб., 1998. Т. 1.

D. N. Shilov. Speransky Mikhail Mikhailovich
Государственная канцелярия, 1810-1910. СПб., 1910
Высшие и центральные государственные учреждения России, 1801-1917 гг. СПб., 1998 Winter Palace
Mariinsky Palace