Fabian Gotthard von Steinheil (; 14 October 1762 – 7 March 1831) was a Russian general and politician of Baltic German descent. He served as the governor-general of Finland from 1810 to 1824.
Biography
Family
Steinheil was born on 14 October 1762, in Hapsal, in Reval Governorate. His parents were Friedrich Jacob Steinheil and Christina Wilhelmine von Tiesenhausen. lord of Orina in Estonia. Stenheil's uncle and father had received a baronial title from the imperial authorities.
He married Nathalia von Engelhardt in 1793. He took part in the war in Finland in 1788–1790 and was promoted to lieutenant colonel. Afterwards he turned to topographical work, leading fortification construction projects in Old Finland. Between 1793 and 1795 he oversaw improvements to the fortresses at Hamina, Taavetti and Lappeenranta, and produced cartographic surveys of the region. During this period he became acquainted with many of the local administrative officials, several of whom he would later appoint to his chancellery as Governor-General. In 1819, he was promoted to full general.
His relationship with the Committee for Finnish Affairs in Saint Petersburg was more difficult. Steinheil failed to see the purpose of the committee and regarded it as an interference in his work. The committee's chairman, Gustaf Mauritz Armfelt, in turn had little regard for the Senate and believed it obstructed reform, forcing Steinheil into the role of defending the Senate against the committee. Tensions eased after the two men met on several occasions, and dissipated with Armfelt's death in 1813.
Honours and awards
- Knight of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky;
- Order of Saint Anna, 1st class;