Alfred von Tirpitz

German military man, noted statesman and naval officer, the first commander to use torpedo boats in any large numbers. Tirpitz was active in building the modern German Navy, was Secretary of State for Naval Affairs from 1897-1910, a Grand Admiral in 1911, and a member of the Reichstag from 1924-28. He was sometimes referred to as "Tirpitz the Eternal," because of his staying power in office.

In 1900, the government of Germany made plans to strengthen their Navy, building it into the German High Seas Fleet, a task force with global capabilities. Tirpitz was put in charge of the necessary improvements, and the effort soon became known as the "Tirpitz Plan." The British reacted violently to what they saw as a threat, strengthening their own fleet and entering alliances against Germany. While Tirpitz’s plan succeeded in many ways, it did not entirely live up to its goal.

Tirpitz died on 6 March 1930, Edelshausen, Germany.