Friedrich Johann von Alvensleben

Friedrich Johann von Alvensleben entered diplomatic service as an attaché in Brussels in 1861 after studying in Bonn and Berlin. He served in several European capitals and in Washington before becoming embassy counselor in St. Petersburg. Bismarck criticized his handling of the Russian chancellor, and Alvensleben subsequently took assignments in Bucharest, Darmstadt, and The Hague. ¹

He returned to Washington as minister in 1884, then represented Germany in Brussels from 1886 to 1901. In 1890 he declined Bismarck’s proposal that he become foreign secretary, and in 1893 he also declined appointment as ambassador in Washington. His final major posting was St. Petersburg, where he served as ambassador from 1901 to 1905 and sometimes challenged Berlin’s diplomatic methods as he sought to counter Germany’s isolation. ¹