Michael Glinsky (1460s – September 24, 1534) is a noble from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania of distant Tatar extraction who is also a tutor of his nephew, Ivan the Terrible.
As a young man, Glinsky serves in the court of Emperor Maximilian I and earns distinction for his military service.
Around 1498 he returns to Lithuania and quickly rises in power and wealth, angering local nobles.
Just after commanding the victorious Battle of Kletsk against the Crimean Khanate in August 1506, he is accused of conspiracy against the deceased Grand Duke Alexander Jagiellon and loses all his wealth.
Glinsky begins an armed rebellion against Sigismund I, the new Grand Duke.
The rebellion is unsuccessful and Glinski retreats to the Grand Duchy of Moscow, where he serves Vasili III of Russia.
When the Muscovite–Lithuanian Wars resume in 1512, Glinsky is instrumental in helping Moscow to capture Smolensk, a major trading center.
However, he is not rewarded with the regency of the city.
Angered, he plans to betray Vasili III, but the plot is discovered and he is imprisoned for twelve years.
He is freed after his niece Elena Glinskaya marries Vasili III in 1526.
Before his death in 1533, Vasili appoints Elena and Glinski as protectors of his underage sons Ivan and Yuri.
Elena disapproves of Glinsky's influence in the state and has him sent to prison, where he soon dies of starvation.
