Otto von Bismarck

Otto von Bismarck (1815 — 98), also known as Iron Chancellor, full name Otto Eduard Leopold von Bismarck, was Prince of Bismarck, Duke of Lauenburg, Prussian minister, and German statesman. He was chancellor of the German Empire during 1871 — 90. He is known for being a driving force behind the unification of Germany in 1871. He provoked war with Denmark (1864), Austria (1866), and France (1870) for the purpose of unification of Germany and served as first Chancellor until 1890.

Wisdom & Quotes

• Politics is not an exact science.

- speech, December, 1863

• Politics is the art of the possible, the attainable ..., the art of the next best.

- conversation with Meyer von Waldeck, August 11, 1867

• Politics ruins the character.

- quoted by Bernhard Bridge, Berlin Tagliche Rundschau, 1881

Anthony Trollope