Molotov (Skryabin), Vyacheslav Mikhailovich (1890-1986)

Soviet government and Communist Party leader.  From 1930 to 1941, Molotov was the chairman of the Soviet Government, then called Sovnarcom or the Council of People’s Commissars of the USSR. Until 1937, he was also chairman of the Council of Labor and Defense.  From 1941 to 1957, he was first deputy chairman of Sovnarcom (which was called the Council of Ministers beginning in 1946). From 1941 to 1945, Molotov was also deputy chairman of the State Council on Defense (GKO). From 1939 to 1949 and 1953 to 1956, Molotov was Narcom of Foreign Affairs (known as Minister after 1946).  He was part of Stalin’s inner circle, and his name was second after Stalin’s on intelligence information distribution lists.