to the development of science in Latvia, especially in the fields of microbiology, immunology, dairy farming and biotechnology. In 1934, he married Olga Jansone in Bern. In addition to his scientific activities, Kirhenšteins was involved in social and political matters, in which he was a supporter of social democracy. After the occupation of Latvia, Kirhenšteins was invited to the USSR Embassy and offered to become the head of the new Soviet puppet government in Latvia, whose primary task was to formally ask for Latvia to be admitted to the Soviet Union, which was finalized in August 1940. He was then made chairman of the Presidium of the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic (1940–52), and vice-president of the Latvian Academy of Sciences (1951-1958). He died on 3 November 1963 in Riga and was buried at the Rainis Cemetery. Awards Hero of Socialist Labour – by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet dated September 17, 1957 "for outstanding services in the field of biological science and social and political activity" 6 Orders of Lenin Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree (03/02/1944) 3 Orders of the Red Banner of Labour Honored Scientist of the Latvian SSR (1945) External links "Augusts Kirhenšteins" at the Latvian Education Informatization System (LIIS). 1872 births 1963 deaths People from Mazsalaca People from Kreis Wolmar Academicians of the Latvian SSR Academy of Sciences Communist Party of the Soviet Union members Deputies of the People's Saeima Heads of state of the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic Prime Ministers of Latvia Academic staff of the University of Latvia University of Tartu alumni Members of the Supreme Soviet of the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic, 1947–1951 First convocation members of the Soviet of Nationalities Second convocation members of the Soviet of Nationalities Third convocation members of the Soviet of Nationalities Fourth convocation members of the Soviet of Nationalities Fifth convocation members of the Soviet of Nationalities Heroes of Socialist Labour Recipients of the Order of Lenin Recipients of the Order of the Red Banner of Labour Recipients of the Order of the Three Stars Latvian biologists Latvian military personnel of the Latvian War of Independence Latvian revolutionaries Serbian military personnel of World War I Soviet microbiologists