Skirmunt Raman (Скірмунт Раман), administrator, political leader, member of the State Duma. Raman Skirmunt was born into a family of a small landowner on the estate of Parečča, Pinsk region in 1868. He entered the political arena as a representative of "the North-Western region" in business circles and was elected to the first session of the State Duma in 1906. He belonged to the Autonomist faction. He also kept in close contact with leaders of the Belarusian political renaissance.

After the February Revolution he became involved in Belarusian politics. He was elected Chairman of the Belarusian National Committee in March of 1917. Skirmunt also headed the club called the Belarusian Representatives of the City of Miensk, which consisted of influential homeowners, land owners, and clergy. It was a powerful group in the life of Miensk. Raman Skirmunt established political contacts with many Russian politicians as well as with political groups in Poland and Germany following the All-Belarusian Congress. He was a member of the Council of the Belarusian Democratic Republic. Skirmunt chaired the pro-German faction in the Council and was in general a strong proponent of closer ties with Germany.

In July of 1918 Skirmunt chaired the Government of the Belarusian Democratic Republic for a short time.

After the western part of Belarus became a part of the Polish state, Skirmunt showed no interest in pursuing a political career with the Belarusians. However, he maintained his ties with many Belarusian leaders. He died during the years of World War II.

References: Bieł. Sav. Enc., vol. 9, 1973, p. 555; Belarusian Institute of Arts and Sciences, New York, Archives.

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