Mikhail Andreyevich Suslov

Suslov, Mikhail Andreyevich (1902–82), Communist Party official in the USSR. An orthodox Stalinist during Stalin's lifetime, Suslov rose steadily through the party ranks, helping to form the Cominform in 1947 and serving as editor of the party newspaper, Pravda (1949–50). A member of the ruling Politburo from 1955, he became one of its most rigid ideologues. With an instinct for survival, he at first supported Nikita Khrushchev and then helped overthrow him in 1964. He opposed any suggestion of relaxing party rule in the country.

See also: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.