Friedrich Ludwig von Rönne

Friedrich Ludwig von Rönne trained as a lawyer after serving with the King’s German Legion at Waterloo. He entered Prussian judicial service in 1820 and wrote on civil law before moving into government work on customs and trade. That experience led to his appointment as minister resident in Washington in 1834. ¹

In the United States, Rönne traveled widely, reported on American commerce, and took up the interests of German immigrants. He tried to negotiate a treaty between the American government and the German customs union and helped preserve American commercial agreements with Hamburg and Bremen. The Prussian king also appointed him umpire in the commission considering American claims against Mexico. ¹

After returning to Prussia, Rönne headed a new trade office and became a liberal parliamentary politician. He entered the Progressive Party in 1862, opposed the government during the constitutional conflict over military spending, and spoke against Prussian cooperation in suppressing the Polish uprising. He died in 1865. ¹