Who was Lord Baranof?

Lord Baranof, also known as Grigory Ivanovich Baranov, was a prominent Russian-American fur trader and the first governor of Russian America, which is now part of Alaska. He played a significant role in the establishment and expansion of the Russian fur trade in North America during the early 19th century. Baranof oversaw the Russian settlement and economic activities in the region, significantly influencing its development and interactions with Indigenous peoples. His leadership contributed to the growth of the Russian-American Company and the establishment of various trading posts.