Heinrich von Treitschke

German historian and political writer.

From 1871 to 1884 he was a member of the Reichstag, first as a National Liberal and then as a moderate conservative, but as a public figure he was handicapped by almost total deafness. He was one of the most prominent figures in Berlin.

As a historian, Treitschke won great influence in Germany owing to his rhetorical gifts, his masterful literary style, and his colourful descriptions of political and cultural life.

His magnum opus, Deutsche Geschichte im 19. Jahrhundert, 5 vol. (1879–94; Treitschke’s History of Germany in the Nineteenth Century), which covers the period from 1800 to 1848. Treitschke did not live to finish writing this work.

Treitschke was one of the few important public figures who supported antisemitic attacks which became prevalent from 1878 onwards.

Treitschke died 28 April 1896 in Berlin, at the age of 61.