John Casimir Ehrnrooth

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Casimir Ehrnrooth

Johan Casimir Gustavovich Ehrnrooth (also Ernrot or Ehrnroth 1833-1913) was an ethnic Finnish soldier in the service of Imperial Russia, who also acted as Prime Minister of Bulgaria.

Ehrnrooth first came to prominence when he played a leading role in suppressing the resistance of Imam Shamil and the Avars in 1859. At the time a Major in the Russian Army, Ehrnrooth continued to rise through the ranks in campaigns against Polish rebels and fighting to remove the Ottoman Turks from Bulgaria. Following the Independence of Bulgaria Ehrnrooth was chosen by Russia to look after the interests of Alexander of Bulgaria, becoming Minister of War in the newly independent government. Ehrnrooth became the strongman of the government, and became Prime Minister on 9 May 1881 whilst Alexander finalised his plans to assume full control of the country. Ehrnrooth became the strongest supporter of Alexander during this period, although he was forced to leave Bulgaria when the experiment floundered.

After his return to Russia Ehrnrooth became Minister-Secretary of State for Finnish Affairs, although the job, which involved drives towards Russification, did not suit the Finn. He retired in the 1890s and died of a stroke in Helsinki at the age of 79. Although he had no children both Finnish World War II general Adolf Ehrnrooth and former chairman of Nokia and Kymmene Corporation Casimir Ehrnrooth are from his family line.