Albrecht von Stosch

Albrecht von Stosch (20 April 1818 – 29 February 1896) was a German general 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. He was acknowledged by Wilhelm I for his loyal service to the country. Stosch considered himself as a reformer. 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 Commander of the Ludwig Order, 1st Class, 15 March 1868 Grand Cross of the Albert Order, 1867 Grand Cross of the Order of Merit, with War Decoration, 1871 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