Wookieepedia:Featured article queue/April 9, 2010

Brigadier Gideon Tarkin was a member of the powerful Tarkin family of Eriadu who had a successful military career but was overshadowed by his elder brother, Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin. Wilhuff and Gideon Tarkin both attended the same military academy before graduating and entering the Republic Outland Regions Security Force. Gideon Tarkin attained the rank of brigadier before returning to Eriadu, as Wilhuff did, to enter a career in government. Tarkin became the planet's Minister of Security, in which capacity he served until the outbreak of the Clone Wars.

During the Clone Wars, Tarkin returned to Republic service, taking a position in the Republic Military and commanding the Republic's efforts to defend Eriadu in the embattled Seswenna and Sluis sectors. Tarkin's military success gained him praise as he continued to loyally serve Palpatine under the rule of the Galactic Empire, but Wilhuff outstripped his younger brother, rising meteorically to the lofty rank of Grand Moff. In 5 BBY, Tarkin died in the course of the Erhynradd Mutiny. He was survived by his teenage daughter, Rivoche, who went on to defect to the Alliance to Restore the Republic.