Julius Rudolph Ottomar Freiherr von Minutoli
Encyclopedia
Julius Rudolph Ottomar Freiherr von Minutoli
(30 August 1804, Berlin
– 5 November 1860, Kaneh Zenjan Caravanserai
, near Shiraz
, Persia) was a Prussian
chief of police
, diplomat, scientist, and author, as well as a gifted draughtsman
.
, then one of the teachers of the Berlin cadet corps. His father was in 1810 appointed the educator of the Prince Carl
, and in 1820 was given the title of Baron von Minutoli. His mother, Wolfradine von Schulenburg, also later became known as an Egyptologist. Because the family has lived since 1810 in the royal palace of Unter den Linden
, Julius von Minutoli had personal contact early in life with Carl and with the crown prince, later Friedrich Wilhelm IV.
Julius studied jurisprudence
and cameralism in Berlin and Heidelberg
and in 1828 or 1830 entered the Prussian civil service, first of all as a Kammergerichtsassessor in Koblenz
, from where he produced his book "Über das römische Recht auf dem linken Rheinufer" (About Roman Law on the left bank of the Rhine; Berlin, 1831). He was transferred in 1832 to the post of government advisor in Posen
and was there appointed in 1839 to chief of police and mayor. In these posts he became well-known at court for revealing several attempted Polish uprisings and among his Polish and German subjects for his tolerance and appreciation of social and cultural activities. He was promoted in 1842 to Junior Doctor of Law and was entrusted occasionally with tasks in the Prussian Ministry of the Interior, though he was soon sent back to Poznań. As a result of an official trip through Europe and North Africa
, he published in 1843 a work called "Die neuen Straf- und Besserungssysteme" on the new punishment and rehabilitation systems that he had seen in Algeria, Spain, Portugal, England, France and Holland.
He was appointed chief of police of Berlin in 1847 by Friedrich Wilhelm IV, and in 1848 promoted to Regierungsrat, First class. During the events of March 1848, he was able at first to be a moderating influence on the rebels, but was ultimately unable to prevent the outbreak of the violence. Through his moderate stance, he displeased the reactionary powers then on the rise. On 27 June 1848 he resigned his post as a chief of police and was released from the civil service.
Minutoli had married Freiin Mathilde von Rotenhan (1812–1878) in 1834, and they had had four children. After his resignation, he and his family moved to Franken
, probably living in his wife's house in Rentweinsdorf
and perhaps occasionally also in Bamberg
. During this time, he studied the history of Hohenzollern and Brandenburg
, as well as producing his memoirs, that were forbidden in Prussia.
After being without a position ever since his resignation, in 1851 he entered the diplomatic service and became Prussian consul general for Spain and Portugal. Making several businesses trips to Barcelona, Spain
, Portugal
and the Canary Islands
subsequently featured in his writings. He returned to Berlin in 1859 and was dispatched again the following year as a Prussian Minister-resident and consul general to Persia. He died on 5 November 1860 during a business trip to the Persian gulf in a Caravanserei in Shiraz, probably of cholera
, and was buried in the cemetery of the Armenian Christian community there.
Already during his time at Posener, just as on his later trips, Julius made numerous sketches of persons, building and events, some of which he sold and some of which he gave to Friedrich Wilhelm IV gave, and with which he made his name even now until today a name as a draughtsman.
During his time in Franken he maintained close contacts with the leading Bamberg
circles in science and culture, especially history and natural science, establishing its Naturalienkabinett (now the Naturkundemuseum) and contributing numerous exhibits to other museums. He maintained extensive correspondence, among others, with the "Prussian Court-Modeller" in Bamberg Carl Schropp, the collector Emil Freiherr Marschalk von Ostheim and the archivist Paul Oesterreicher.
A lavender
-type growing on the Canary Islands was named "Lavandula minutolii" in May 1860 by the botanist Carl Bolle in Julius's honour.
"Julius von Minutoli - In der Keimzeit der Demokratie Berliner Polizeipräsident" Berliner Polizeipräsidium (20. Juli bis 10. August 2006)
Von Minutoli
The von Minutoli family originally came from Lucca or Naples and hiked over into Switzerland during the 17th century. They included:*Heinrich Menu von Minutoli*Julius Rudolph Ottomar Freiherr von Minutoli...
(30 August 1804, Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
– 5 November 1860, Kaneh Zenjan Caravanserai
Caravanserai
A caravanserai, or khan, also known as caravansary, caravansera, or caravansara in English was a roadside inn where travelers could rest and recover from the day's journey...
, near Shiraz
Shiraz
Shiraz may refer to:* Shiraz, Iran, a city in Iran* Shiraz County, an administrative subdivision of Iran* Vosketap, Armenia, formerly called ShirazPeople:* Hovhannes Shiraz, Armenian poet* Ara Shiraz, Armenian sculptor...
, Persia) was a Prussian
Kingdom of Prussia
The Kingdom of Prussia was a German kingdom from 1701 to 1918. Until the defeat of Germany in World War I, it comprised almost two-thirds of the area of the German Empire...
chief of police
Prussian Secret Police
The Prussian Secret Police was the state police agency of the German state of Prussia in the 19th century and early 20th century.In 1851 Police Union of German States was set up by the police forces of Austria, Prussia, Bavaria, Saxony, Hanover, Baden, and Württemberg...
, diplomat, scientist, and author, as well as a gifted draughtsman
Draughtsman
A draughtsman or draftsman , is a person skilled in drawing, either:*drawing for artistic purposes, or*technical drawing for practical purposes such as architecture or engineering...
.
Life
He was the second son of the military officer and Egyptologist Heinrich Menu von MinutoliHeinrich Menu von Minutoli
Heinrich Menu von Minutoli was a Prussian Generalmajor, explorer and archaeologist.-Life:...
, then one of the teachers of the Berlin cadet corps. His father was in 1810 appointed the educator of the Prince Carl
Prince Charles of Prussia
Prince Frederick Charles Alexander of Prussia born in Charlottenburg, was a younger son of Frederick William III of Prussia and Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz...
, and in 1820 was given the title of Baron von Minutoli. His mother, Wolfradine von Schulenburg, also later became known as an Egyptologist. Because the family has lived since 1810 in the royal palace of Unter den Linden
Unter den Linden
Unter den Linden is a boulevard in the Mitte district of Berlin, the capital of Germany. It is named for its linden trees that line the grassed pedestrian mall between two carriageways....
, Julius von Minutoli had personal contact early in life with Carl and with the crown prince, later Friedrich Wilhelm IV.
Julius studied jurisprudence
Jurisprudence
Jurisprudence is the theory and philosophy of law. Scholars of jurisprudence, or legal theorists , hope to obtain a deeper understanding of the nature of law, of legal reasoning, legal systems and of legal institutions...
and cameralism in Berlin and Heidelberg
Heidelberg
-Early history:Between 600,000 and 200,000 years ago, "Heidelberg Man" died at nearby Mauer. His jaw bone was discovered in 1907; with scientific dating, his remains were determined to be the earliest evidence of human life in Europe. In the 5th century BC, a Celtic fortress of refuge and place of...
and in 1828 or 1830 entered the Prussian civil service, first of all as a Kammergerichtsassessor in Koblenz
Koblenz
Koblenz is a German city situated on both banks of the Rhine at its confluence with the Moselle, where the Deutsches Eck and its monument are situated.As Koblenz was one of the military posts established by Drusus about 8 BC, the...
, from where he produced his book "Über das römische Recht auf dem linken Rheinufer" (About Roman Law on the left bank of the Rhine; Berlin, 1831). He was transferred in 1832 to the post of government advisor in Posen
Province of Posen
The Province of Posen was a province of Prussia from 1848–1918 and as such part of the German Empire from 1871 to 1918. The area was about 29,000 km2....
and was there appointed in 1839 to chief of police and mayor. In these posts he became well-known at court for revealing several attempted Polish uprisings and among his Polish and German subjects for his tolerance and appreciation of social and cultural activities. He was promoted in 1842 to Junior Doctor of Law and was entrusted occasionally with tasks in the Prussian Ministry of the Interior, though he was soon sent back to Poznań. As a result of an official trip through Europe and North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
, he published in 1843 a work called "Die neuen Straf- und Besserungssysteme" on the new punishment and rehabilitation systems that he had seen in Algeria, Spain, Portugal, England, France and Holland.
He was appointed chief of police of Berlin in 1847 by Friedrich Wilhelm IV, and in 1848 promoted to Regierungsrat, First class. During the events of March 1848, he was able at first to be a moderating influence on the rebels, but was ultimately unable to prevent the outbreak of the violence. Through his moderate stance, he displeased the reactionary powers then on the rise. On 27 June 1848 he resigned his post as a chief of police and was released from the civil service.
Minutoli had married Freiin Mathilde von Rotenhan (1812–1878) in 1834, and they had had four children. After his resignation, he and his family moved to Franken
Franken
Franken may refer to:*Franks, medieval Germanic tribes*Franconia, a region in Bavaria, Germany*Franconia , one of the 13 wine regions of Germany*Franken, Haut-Rhin, a commune of the Haut-Rhin département of France*Franc, a currency unit...
, probably living in his wife's house in Rentweinsdorf
Rentweinsdorf
Rentweinsdorf is a municipality in the district of Haßberge in Bavaria in Germany....
and perhaps occasionally also in Bamberg
Bamberg
Bamberg is a city in Bavaria, Germany. It is located in Upper Franconia on the river Regnitz, close to its confluence with the river Main. Bamberg is one of the few cities in Germany that was not destroyed by World War II bombings because of a nearby Artillery Factory that prevented planes from...
. During this time, he studied the history of Hohenzollern and Brandenburg
Brandenburg
Brandenburg is one of the sixteen federal-states of Germany. It lies in the east of the country and is one of the new federal states that were re-created in 1990 upon the reunification of the former West Germany and East Germany. The capital is Potsdam...
, as well as producing his memoirs, that were forbidden in Prussia.
After being without a position ever since his resignation, in 1851 he entered the diplomatic service and became Prussian consul general for Spain and Portugal. Making several businesses trips to Barcelona, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
and the Canary Islands
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands , also known as the Canaries , is a Spanish archipelago located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, 100 km west of the border between Morocco and the Western Sahara. The Canaries are a Spanish autonomous community and an outermost region of the European Union...
subsequently featured in his writings. He returned to Berlin in 1859 and was dispatched again the following year as a Prussian Minister-resident and consul general to Persia. He died on 5 November 1860 during a business trip to the Persian gulf in a Caravanserei in Shiraz, probably of cholera
Cholera
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine that is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The main symptoms are profuse watery diarrhea and vomiting. Transmission occurs primarily by drinking or eating water or food that has been contaminated by the diarrhea of an infected person or the feces...
, and was buried in the cemetery of the Armenian Christian community there.
Cultural activities
During his time in Franken he maintained close contacts with the leading Bamberg
Bamberg
Bamberg is a city in Bavaria, Germany. It is located in Upper Franconia on the river Regnitz, close to its confluence with the river Main. Bamberg is one of the few cities in Germany that was not destroyed by World War II bombings because of a nearby Artillery Factory that prevented planes from...
circles in science and culture, especially history and natural science, establishing its Naturalienkabinett (now the Naturkundemuseum) and contributing numerous exhibits to other museums. He maintained extensive correspondence, among others, with the "Prussian Court-Modeller" in Bamberg Carl Schropp, the collector Emil Freiherr Marschalk von Ostheim and the archivist Paul Oesterreicher.
A lavender
Lavender
The lavenders are a genus of 39 species of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. An Old World genus, distributed from Macaronesia across Africa, the Mediterranean, South-West Asia, Arabia, Western Iran and South-East India...
-type growing on the Canary Islands was named "Lavandula minutolii" in May 1860 by the botanist Carl Bolle in Julius's honour.
Works
- Über das römische Recht auf dem linken Rheinufer (Berlin 1831)
- Mitarbeit am "Berliner Kalender für das Gemein-Jahr 1839", mehrere Kupfer und Erläuterungen der Kupfer, Berlin 1839.
- "Statistik des Kreises Posen", 1840.
- Die neuen Straf- und Besserungssysteme. Erinnerungen von einer Reise durch bemerkenswerte Gefängnisse in Algier, Spanien, Portugal, England, Frankreich und Holland (Berlin 1843)
- Die Mark BrandenburgMark BrandenburgMark Brandenburg may refer to:*Mark Brandenburg *The historical Margraviate of Brandenburg in Germany*The historical Province of Brandenburg in Germany*The present-day federal state of Brandenburg in Germany...
, Berlin und KölnKOLNKOLN, digital channel 10, is the CBS affiliate in Lincoln, Nebraska. It operates a satellite station, KGIN, on digital channel 11 in Grand Island. KGIN repeats all KOLN programming, but airs separate commercials...
im Jahr 1451 (Berlin 1850, 3. Aufl. 1853) - Die weiße Frau (Berlin 1850)
- Friedrich I. Kurfürst von Brandenburg und Memorabilia aus den Quellen des Plassenburger Archivs (Berlin 1850)
- Das kaiserliche Buch des Markgrafen Achilles - Kurfürstliche Periode von 1470-1486 (Berlin 1850)
- "Erinnerungen aus meinem Leben, III. Teil, Vergebliche Versuche zur verheißenen Wiederanstellung", Bamberg 1850.
- Die Kanarischen InselnCanary IslandsThe Canary Islands , also known as the Canaries , is a Spanish archipelago located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, 100 km west of the border between Morocco and the Western Sahara. The Canaries are a Spanish autonomous community and an outermost region of the European Union...
, ihre Vergangenheit und Zukunft (Berlin 1854) - Spanien und seine fortschreitende Entwickelung (Berlin 1852)
- Altes und Neues aus Spanien (Berlin 1854, 2 Bde.)
- Portugal und seine Kolonien 1854 (Stuttgart 1855)
Exhibitions
- "In der Keimzeit der Demokratie Berliner Polizeipräsident - Julius von Minutoli zum 200. Geburtstag." Zentrum für Berlin-Studien, Breite Straße 36 Berlin. (30. August 2004 bis 29. Januar 2005)
- "Julius von Minutoli (1804-1860) rysownik - policjant - dyplomata". Biblioteka Raczynskich - Muzeum Literackie H. Sienkiewicza, Poznan (Posen/Polen), Stary Rynek 84. (1. bis 31. März 2005)
- "Zwischenstation in Bamberg: Julius von Minutoli (1804-1860) zwischen Berlin und Persien". Ausstellung im Stadtarchiv Bamberg, 16. November 2005 - 27. Januar 2006;
"Julius von Minutoli - In der Keimzeit der Demokratie Berliner Polizeipräsident" Berliner Polizeipräsidium (20. Juli bis 10. August 2006)
External links
- Article in Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie 1875
- Zwischenstation Bamberg: Julius von Minutoli (1804–1860) zwischen Berlin und Persien: Exhibition text from the Stadtarchives Bamberg