Semyon Stroganov

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Semyon Stroganov (Russian: Семён Аникеевич Строганов) (d. 22 October 1608) was a Russian merchant from the family of Stroganov, financed Yermak's Siberian campaign in 1581.

Semyon was the younger son of Anikey Stroganov, date of his birth is unknown but most likely he reaches adulthood before 1559. In this year Anikey and his elder sons Yakov and Grigori moved from Solvychegodsk to new granted lands in the Perm Krai. Semyon left in Solvychegodsk and independently and successfully led the family business here. In 1567 Anikey Stroganov decided to withdraw from business, moved back to Semyon in Solvychegodsk and lived here few time until became a monk.

After the death of father, in 1570 - 1571 began the domestic quarrel between Semyon and his brothers. The reasons of this are unknown. On 29 June 1573 tsar Ivan the Terrible issued an ukaz proclaiming Semyon guilty "for robbery". The aftermath of quarrel is also not certainly known, but new lands in Siberia received only his brothers. However, after the deaths of Yakov and Grigori he took part in the division of the family wealths and received an appropriate part.

About his participation in the preparation of the Yermak expedition the information is contradictory. In the tsar's ukaz of 16 November 1583 mentioned only his nephews Maksim Yakovlevich and Nikita Grigoriyevich. But in the Stroganov Chronicle Semyon Stroganov appeared as the only supporter of Yermak. Definitely known that he send three cannons to Yermak. After the results of the Yermak expedition became known, tsar granted to Semyon new lands in Bolshaya and Malaya Sol.

Semyon Stroganov was married two times and had two sons — Andrei and Pyotr.