Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Stein, Heinrich Friedrich Karl, Baron von

STEIN, HEINRICH FRIEDRICH KARL, BARON VON, a Prussian statesman; born in Nassau, Germany, Oct. 26, 1757. After being educated at Göttingen and studying public law at Wetzlar, he entered the Prussian civil service, and after filling several important offices, was, in 1786, appointed president of the Westphalian Chambers, which post he held till 1804, in which year he became Minister of Finance and Trade. In this capacity he laid the foundation of important social reforms; but, exciting the jealousy of Napoleon, he was exiled to Prague. In 1812 he went to St. Petersburg, where he rendered great services to the Russian Government during the French invasion. Subsequently returning to his own country, he was placed at the head of administrative affairs, from which position he retired in 1827. He died in Kappenberg, Prussia, June 29, 1831.