Augusts Kirhenšteins

Augusts Kirhenšteins, formerly spelt Kirchenšteins (18 September 1872 in Mazsalaca – 3 November 1963 in Riga), was a Latvian microbiologist and educator. He was prime minister of Latvia from 20 June 1940 to 25 August 1940 and Acting President of Latvia from 21 July 1940 to 25 August 1940. It was Kirhenšteins pro-Soviet government that requested the incorporation of Latvia into the USSR after the annexation of the country in 1940. He became a member of the Communist Party in 1941. He was Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic 1940-1952.