Count Sergei Yulyevich Witte (June 29 [O.S. June 17], 1849  – March 13 [O.S. February 28], 1915), also known as Sergius Witte, is a highly influential econometrician, minister, and prime minister in Imperial Russia, one of the key figures in the political arena at the end of nineteenth and at the beginning of the twentieth century.

Witte is neither a liberal nor a conservative.

He attracts foreign capital to boost Russia's industrialization.

Witte serves under the last two emperors of Russia, Alexander III and Nicholas II.

During the Russo-Turkish War (1877–78) he rises to a position in which he contros all the traffic passing to the front along the lines of the Odessa Railways.

As Minister of Finance, Witte presides over extensive industrialization and the management of various railroad lines.

He frames the October Manifesto of 1905, and the accompanying government communication, but is not convinced it will solve Russia's problem with the Tsarist autocracy.

On October 20, 1905, he becomes the first Chairman of the Russian Council of Ministers (Prime Minister).

Assisted by his Council, he designs Russia's first constitution.

Within a few months, he falls into disgrace within court circles as a reformer.

He resigns before the First Duma assembles.

Witte is fully confident that he has resolved the main problem—providing political stability to the regime—but according to him the "peasant problem" will further determine the character of the Duma's activity.