Hans-Otto Meissner

Hans-Otto Meissner (4 June 1909 in Strasbourg – 8 September 1992 in Unterwössen, Germany) was a German writer and novelist.

The son of prominent German diplomat Otto Meissner, Hans-Otto Meissner studied law at Heidelberg and Trinity College, Cambridge, after which he embarked on a diplomatic career. His postings took him to London, Tokyo, Moscow, and Milan, among other cities. After ending his diplomatic career, Meissner published a series of books, which proved financially successful.

His works may be divided into three categories:

1. Political-historical books, e.g., The Seizure of Power on 30 January 1933
2. Travelogues, describing journeys Meissner himself took, e.g., Enchanting Wilderness: Hiking, Hunting, Flying in Alaska
3. Books concerning the lives of discoverers and explorers, e.g., The Congo Surrenders Its Secret