Fürst von Bismarck

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Several noble titles were conferred on the great German statesman and diplomat Otto von Bismarck during the course of his career. Born simply Otto Eduard Leopold von Bismarck into a Junker family, he was created Graf von Bismarck-Schönhausen in 1865, following Prussia's victory over Denmark in the Second War of Schleswig. Schönhausen was Bismarck's family estate in Saxony. This comital title is borne by all his descendants in the male line. After Prussia's victory over France in the Franco-Prussian War, and the subsequent establishment of the German Empire in 1871, Bismarck was further created Fürst von Bismarck. This princely title descended only to his male heirs. Finally, as a consolation for his dismissal at the hands of Emperor Wilhelm II in 1890, Bismarck was created Herzog von Lauenburg and Durchlaucht (Serene Highness), for life only. The Duchy of Lauenburg was one of the territories annexed to Prussia from Denmark in 1864. On Bismarck's death in 1898, his dukedom became extinct, and the princely title passed to his eldest son Herbert. The present Fürst is the Iron Chancellor's great-grandson.