Yakov Sighovaryin (Napoleon's World)

Yakov Nikolayevich Sighovaryin (Russ: Яков Николаыевич Сигховарыин) (12/1/1891-4/4/1961) was one of the most influential statesmen of the 20th century, serving as the Premier of Alaska between 1944-1960, the longest single term any Premier has held in Alaskan history (outserving legendary Boris Anasenko by a year). Sighovaryin's term in office was characterized by the Alaskan-Siberian War, the modernization and socialization of the Alaskan economy and government, the consolidation by Sighovaryin of power in Alaska whilst simultaneously expanding the electorate to create a more democratic legislative state, the drawdown of importance of the military in Alaska, the expansion of the oil industry, the early stages of the Kialgory Industrial Boom, and a closening of relations with the United States.

Sighovaryin is regarded as the "Modernizer of Alaska," and the man who brought the Empire of Alaska into what would one day become the NATO bloc. His stalwart stances in the Constitutional Crises of 1951 and 1956 are hailed as some of the most levelheaded leadership in the 20th century, and his friendship with Czar Alexander I is regarded as "legendary pragmatism." Most of the major leadership in Alaskan government for thirty years after his death lived in his shadow and had earned their experience during his Premiership.

Early Life
Yakov Sighovaryin was born to Nikolay Sighovaryin in 1891 in Petropavlovsk, where his father was a naval commander. Sighovaryin had two elder brothers, Nikolay Nikolayevich (1887-1925) and Ivan Nikolayevich (1888-1926), both who would die in the Pacific War, and a younger sister, Katya Nikolaevna (1893-1979).

Sighovaryin's father died in 1910 during a ship accident and the family was relocated with the eldest brothers as stewards to Sitka, where all three brothers attended the Alaskan Royal Naval Academy. All three brothers rose in the ranks as capable officers and Ivan became a protege of the legendary Admiral Vladislav Ruschenenko - Ivan was aboard the Subutov when it was torpedoed in 1926 with Ruschenenko, and every crewman perished in the frigid Bering Sea.

Yakov's elder brothers died early in the war during Japanese torpedo attacks and he himself was gravely injured whilst overseeing an installation in the Aleuts. Sighovaryin survived by escaping by rowboat to a nearby, Alaskan-held island, where he was tended to and nursed back to health. Sighovaryin was always highly critical of the Kodiak Accords, which he considered "cowardly."

Sighovaryin continued his admirable naval career and was awarded the Cross of Courage in 1931, when he was promoted to Commander, and Sighovaryin spent a great deal of time as an instructor at the Naval Academy in Sitka until he was given an admiralship in 1938.

Sighovaryin obtained a seat on the Duma in 1940 thanks to his respect amongst his peers in the navy and was often highly critical of the Duma's ignorance of the growing Siberian threat. Admiral Sighovaryin declined a position as Chairman of the Navy in 1942 due to his belief that it was a dead-end position - simultaneously, he became more and more attached to the conservative leadership in the Duma, headed by Vyacheslav Korakov, despite his own moderate stance on most issues.