Karl Heinrich von Boetticher

Karl Heinrich von Boetticher (6 January 1833 – 6 March 1907) was a German conservative statesman. He served as the secretary of the Interior (1880–1897), and the vice-chancellor of the German Empire (1881–1897).

Biography Born in Stettin in Pomerania, the son of a judge, Boetticher studied law in the University of Würzburg and the University of Berlin. He became the Regierungspräsident (regional president) of Schleswig in 1876. In 1878 he became a member of the Reichstag for the Free Conservative Party. Between 1879 and 1880, he was the Oberpräsident of the Province of Schleswig-Holstein. In 1880, he succeeded Karl von Hofmann as Minister of the Interior of the German Empire. In 1881, he also became vice chancellor in Bismarck's cabinet. He held both positions until 1897.

As the representative of Chancellor Bismarck, Boetticher introduced numerous social reforms, and the enactment of the invalid and old-age insurance laws in 1889 was due principally to his energy and executive ability.

Honours He received the following orders and decorations: