born Feb. 24, 1831, Berlin-Charlottenburg, Prussia
died Feb. 6, 1899, near Crossen-an-der-Oder, Ger.
German soldier and politician.
A distinguished soldier, he served as chief of the admiralty (1883–88). He succeeded Otto von Bismarck as Germany's imperial chancellor (1890–94) and Prussian minister president (1890–92). His achievements included an Anglo-German agreement concerning spheres of influence in Africa, commercial treaties with Austria, Romania, and other states, and the reorganization of the German army.