Heinrich Wilhelm von Werther

Heinrich August Wilhelm Alexander of Werther ( since 1841 Baron ) ( born August 7, 1772 in Königsberg, † December 7, 1859 in Berlin) was a Prussian diplomat and 1837-1841 Prussian foreign minister.

Life

Werther was the son of Lieutenant-General Philip Augustus of Werther ( 1729-1802 ). He also appeared in 1787 in the Prussian military service a. As a captain he participated in the Dragoon Regiment in 1802 his late father in the campaign of 1807. After the peace of Tilsit Werther left due to the reduction of the armed forces, the army as a captain. First, he was then Chamberlain of Friedrich Wilhelm III.

In 1810, Werther joined the diplomatic service. Between 1809 and 1813 he was Minister of Prussia resident in Constantinople Opel. Subsequently, he was ambassador to Spain in 1814 and 1821 Envoy and Plenipotentiary Minister in London. He was there involved, among others, instrumental in the negotiation of the first Prussian- English shipping Treaty of 1823. He later acted 1824-1837 in Paris. Especially in the phase of the July Revolution of 1830, he played a balancing role internationally.

Had he still refused the post of foreign minister in 1831, he has exercised this office 1837-1841. Even if he had problems to compete in the domestic political affairs, he managed to maintain a good relationship with France, and the construction of the railway from Cologne to Antwerp was driven by Werther. In the Oriental crisis, Werther resisted the urge Russia that wanted Prussia should commit itself militarily, because he was of the opinion that in a possible war, the load given the military weakness of Austria would weigh on Prussia.

After his retirement as minister, he was Head of the Department of Neuchâtel. At the same time belonged Werther until its dissolution of the Prussian State Council on.

Family

He married on September 18, 1797 Countess Josephine of Sandizell (* May 18, 1777; † November 8, 1853 ). The couple had one son:

• Anton Karl Philipp ( born January 31, 1809 February 8, 1894 † ) Prussian diplomat ∞ July 30, 1846 Mathilde Lobo Da Silveira of Oriola (* February 3, 1827, † May 30 1899 )