Georg von Cancrin

Count Georg Ludwig Cancrin (; 16 November 1774 – 10 September 1845) was a Russian German aristocrat and politician best known for spearheading reforms in the Russian financial system early in the 19th century.

Early life Cancrin was born in Hanau, where his father Franz Ludwig von Cancrin was successively professor of mathematics at the military academy, head of the civil engineering department of the state, director of the theatre, and from 1774 master of the mint. In 1797, at the age of 23, he accompanied his father to Russia, joining the imperial service and changing the form of his first name from Georg to Egor (or Yegor). perhaps not surprising since Cancrin's father, a mining expert himself, had come to Russia for similar reasons. From April to December 1829, Humboldt traveled through Russia, reaching the Chinese border in the east and the Caspian Sea in the south, before returning to St Petersburg. Cancrin had taken pains to guarantee the success of Humboldt's trip, arranging for his expenses to be paid as well as assuring the cooperation of Russian officialdom. "I shall not fail to send instructions to all governors and mining officials, with orders to put you up. Customs will be instructed to facilitate your entry into Russia." Humboldt accurately predicted that diamonds would be found in the Ural Mountains. Cancrin had initially contacted Humboldt to get his opinion about the feasibility of using Russian platinum in coinage. Humboldt recommended against it.

In 1839 cancrinite, named after the Minister of Finance, was found in the Ural Mountains.

Cancrin's policies often sought to maintain the status quo due to the limitations of the Russian government in carrying out large scale economic reform. His policies have been characterized as being aimed at reducing budget deficits through curtailment of government expenditure rather than attempts at stimulating the economy.

Having retired in 1844, Cancrin died in Pavlovsk, Saint Petersburg, in September 1845.

Among Cancrin's writings, The Military Economy (also published in German) is the best regarded.