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Oskar GruzenbergA famous lawyer and public figure
Date of Birth: 15.04.1866
Country:  Russia |
Content:
Early Life and Education
Oskar Osipovich Gruzenberg was born in 1866. He graduated from the law faculty of Kiev University in 1889.
Legal Career
Gruzenberg became a sworn attorney of the St. Petersburg Chamber. He was among the founders of the newspaper "Pravo," where he edited the criminal section from 1898-1901.
Criminal Defense
Gruzenberg became renowned as a criminal defense attorney, particularly in political and literary cases. He defended numerous writers and public figures, including Maxim Gorky, Vladimir Korolenko, Innokenty Annensky, Alexander Peshkov, Semyon Vengerov, Pavel Milyukov, Leon Petrazycki, Iulii Hessen, and Korney Chukovsky.
Notable Cases
Gruzenberg led the defense in the "Council of Workers' Deputies" case (1906) and represented defendants in the Vyborg Appeal case (1908). He also participated in major Jewish cases, including the Orsha Jewish Blood Accusation, Kishinev Pogrom, and the Dashevsky-Krushevan murder plot.
Of particular importance was the Dmitry Blondes case (1911-13), an alleged ritual murder trial in which Gruzenberg secured Blondes' acquittal. He also vigorously defended Mendel Beilis in a similar case.
Military Court Cases
Gruzenberg's exceptional advocacy extended to military courts, notably in the Piрогоv case, where he fought tirelessly to save the defendants' lives under difficult conditions.
Legacy
Gruzenberg is renowned as an exceptional trial orator and expert in criminal law and procedure. His passionate and well-prepared speeches had a profound impact on juries and judges alike.
