State Councillor (Russia)

State councillors usually served as vice-governors, vice-directors of large departments, or chairmen of the state chamber. In the middle of the 19th century, the rank was the lowest in the top group of state officials. This group (from 1st to 5th grade) represented the highest state establishment defining the government policy. Rankholders enjoyed special privileges and high salaries. Initially, to qualify for the rank of State councilor, a candidate had to spend five years in the lower rank. The rank was abolished in 1917 by the Decree on the Abolition of Estates and Civil Ranks. ==See also==