Ivan Pavlovich Morozov

Ivan Pavlovich Morozov was a prominent socio-political figure, the First Secretary of the regional committee of the CPSU, who led the republic for more than 20 years. He was born in the village of Mezhador and received his primary education at the local school, and later graduated from a feldsher-obstetric school.

In 1942 Morozov was drafted into the army and took part in battles on the Kalinin Front. He served as a medical orderly and Komsomol organizer (komsorg) of the battalion, and received the Medal "For Combat Merit". In 1944 he was discharged for health reasons. After the war Morozov worked in the Komsomol and in 1951 moved to the Far North. He held leadership positions in Vorkuta and Inta. In 1965 Morozov became First Secretary of the Komi regional committee of the CPSU, effectively heading the republic for twenty years.

Morozov was a member of the Central Committee of the CPSU, a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and was awarded numerous orders for his personal contribution to the development of the economy and culture of the Komi ASSR. Ivan Pavlovich Morozov died on April 26, 1987.