Voroshilov, Clement Efremovich (1881-1969)

Soviet military commander and official and the People’s Commissar (Narcom) of Defense from 1934 to 1940. Voroshilov played a key role in the purges of the Soviet Armed Forces (RKKA) from 1936 to 1938. From 1940 to 1953, he was deputy chairman of the Soviet Government, or Sovnarcom, and, after 1946, of the Council of Ministers. From 1953 to 1960, Voroshilov was chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR (the Soviet quasi-parliament). From 1926 to 1960, he was also a member of the Politburo (Presidium) of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the USSR.