Albrecht von Stosch

Albrecht von Stosch (20 April 1818 – 29 February 1896) was a German General of the Infantry and admiral who served as first chief of the newly created Imperial German Navy from 1872 to 1883.

Life
Born in Koblenz, he was a cousin of Hans Stosch-Sarrasani, the founder of the Circus Sarrasani. He was the third son of Prussian general Hermann Ferdinand Stosch, who was a traditional military man who had a nationalistic feelings. Just like his father, Stosch was conscious of the tradition of duty and service, and Prussian military heritage was a strong political opinion of his.

After being educated in state schools and a Gymnasium, in 1829 Stosch was admitted to the Cadet corps. In 1835 Stosch, aged seventeen, was appointed as second-lieutenant in the Prussian Army. He eventually became a General Staff officer.

Stosch participated in the Austro-Prussian War as Oberquartiermeister of the Second Army.

After the Franco-Prussian War, Stosch was also appointed as an admiral and first chief of the Admiralty and thus of the fledgling Imperial German Navy. Acknowledged by William I for his loyal service to the country; he considered himself as a reformer.

Stosch died in Rheingau. There is an island in Chile named after him, Isla Stosch.

Honours

 * Kingdom of Prussia:
 * Knight of the Royal Order of the Crown, 2nd Class, 23 September 1865
 * Pour le Mérite (military), 20 September 1866
 * Commander's Cross of the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern, with Swords, 16 June 1871
 * Grand Cross of the Order of the Red Eagle, with Oak Leaves, 18 January 1878
 * Knight of the Order of the Black Eagle, 17 September 1881; with Collar, 1882
 * Grand Duchy of Hesse: Commander of the Ludwig Order, 1st Class, 15 March 1868
 * Kingdom of Saxony:
 * Grand Cross of the Albert Order, 1867
 * Grand Cross of the Order of Merit, with War Decoration, 1871
 * Württemberg: Grand Cross of the Military Merit Order, 2 January 1871
 * 🇸🇪 🇳🇴 Sweden-Norway: Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav, 1 June 1875