Wilhelm Stieber Prussian police official; in 1850–60, head of the Prussian political police. Date of Birth: 03.05.1818 Country: Germany

Biography of Wilhelm Stieber

Wilhelm Johann Karl Eduard Stieber was a Prussian police official and the chief of the Prussian political police from 1850 to 1860. He gained notoriety for his failed assassination attempt on Prime Minister Otto von Bismarck in 1866, which led to the establishment of a secret police force to protect the King of Prussia and his ministers. Stieber was known as the "king of spies" due to his role in creating a highly efficient foreign intelligence network and army counterintelligence during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871.

Early Life and Career
Wilhelm Stieber was born into a prominent Prussian family. After completing his law degree at the University of Berlin, he became a criminal investigator and worked as a commissioner in the criminal police. Stieber's exceptional analytical abilities were evident during his investigations of several serious crimes, which helped him advance in his career. His first secret assignment from the Ministry of Internal Affairs involved infiltrating a socialist conspiracy in Silesia. Under the alias "Artist Schmidt," he obtained incriminating documents that led to the imprisonment of the conspirators.

Stieber continued his work as a criminal defense attorney and journalist, gaining access to police files, including closed investigation materials. Known for his ability to refute almost any incriminating evidence and divert accusations against his clients, he defended numerous real and alleged criminals between 1848 and 1850. However, his use of classified investigative materials in the interests of his clients caused a scandal. Despite being acquitted due to lack of evidence, Stieber was removed from his position. In 1850, he was appointed as an assessor by the chief of police and later became a police counselor.

Establishment of Secret Police
Stieber was assigned to monitor the activities of Karl Marx and various socialist groups in Germany, France, and Belgium. In May 1851, he traveled to London as an official Prussian commissioner, tasked with exposing the headquarters of the Communist League. Within days, Stieber not only located the meeting places but also infiltrated the organization with one of his agents, obtaining a wealth of secret information. He then traveled to Paris, where he shared the gathered intelligence with the French authorities, leading to the arrest of several communist activists.

Stieber's investigation sparked a trial for treason in Germany, but the increasing influence of liberal forces in Prussia sought to remove him from his position. In 1858, Stieber was arrested and accused of torture during interrogations. Although he was acquitted, public pressure forced Stieber's removal from his post. Despite his dismissal, he continued to operate in the shadows, establishing a reliable agent network in neighboring countries.

Collaboration with Russia and Career Advancement
Russian intelligence agencies quickly established contact with Stieber, tasking him with organizing a foreign branch of their security service, known as the secret political police. In a secret agreement, Stieber agreed to monitor Russian emigrants in Germany and ensure the safety of the Russian monarch during his foreign travels. This collaboration with Russia continued until 1874.

In 1863, Stieber's career took a significant turn when he became acquainted with Otto von Bismarck, the new Prussian Prime Minister, through his friend, Braas, the founder of the "North German General Newspaper." Stieber learned of an assassination plot against Bismarck through one of his foreign agents and offered to provide personal security for the Prime Minister. Bismarck agreed, and Stieber's quick action prevented the assassination attempt. This successful intervention led to Stieber's appointment as the organizer of a secret police force responsible for protecting the king and the government and investigating anti-state activities by radicals. He also established a secret field police force to provide military intelligence about enemy armies and their situations.

Franco-Prussian War and Policing Activities
During the Franco-Prussian War, Stieber's agents operated in major cities, monitoring ports, garrisons, and intercepting postal and telegraph correspondence. They gathered information about fortresses and military arsenals. Stieber maintained secret connections with high-ranking French officers, even obtaining plans for strategic troop deployments kept in the French general staff safes.

In October 1870, as the French attempted a breakthrough from besieged Paris towards Versailles, Stieber initiated a large-scale police operation. The operation resulted in the arrest of over 150 individuals, including foreigners suspected of espionage, and the confiscation of significant weapon caches. This operation further solidified Stieber's position and earned him the Iron Cross military decoration.

Later Years
In January 1871, amid the heightened spy paranoia, rumors spread about French women passing information to the besieging German forces. Stieber conducted a swift and extensive police operation, leading to the arrest of suspected female spies and the seizure of vast amounts of information and gold coins. During the operation, it was revealed that a soldier named Goff, who was believed to be a French national, was, in fact, a German spy named Genczel.

Wilhelm Stieber's incredible career as a spy mastermind and police official came to an end after the Franco-Prussian War. He retired from active service and settled in Berlin, where he died in relative obscurity in 1882. Stieber's legacy as a highly influential figure in the development of modern intelligence and counterintelligence practices remains to this day.