(Dec. 18, 1878 - Mar. 05, 1953)
Joseph Stalin was General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union's Central Committee from 1922 until 1953. Despite his formal position being originally without significant influence, and his office being nominally but one of several Central Committee Secretaryships, Stalin's increasing control of the Party from 1928 onwards led to him becoming the de facto party leader. According to the consensus of modern historians, he is seen as a dictator of his country.