Otto von Bismarck
Otto von Bismarck (1815-98), German statesman, nick-named the ‘Iron Chancellor’. A member of an ancient Prussian family, he served as a diplomat (1849-62) in Frankfurt, Russia, and Paris, until he was appointed prime minister of Prussia by King Wilhelm I. His successful wars with Denmark (1864), Austria (1866), and France (1870) led to the unification of Germany under Prussian leadership. He dominated German politics until his sudden dismissal in 1890 by the young emperor Wilhelm II.
