Ludwig H. von Donnersmarck

Ludwig Henckel von Donnersmarck (1790 - 1840) was a German industrialist, politician and brain behind the Donnersmarck Plot. During his lifetime he was a member of the Conservative Faction and used his political and business connections to try and instigate a war with Denmark.

Early life
Ludwig von Donnersmarck was born into a family of industrialists in 1790. In the early 1800s he joined the army to help stop the French Empire. Ludwig served in the Prussian army at the battles of Austerlitz and Waterloo. In 1834 he decided that war wasn’t for him and left the army.

Professional life
In 1835, Ludwig acquired a small fortune from an inheritance, allowing him to begin his capitalist ventures. He was often associated with Franz von Stockbrünn, who from 1837 onwards owned a cement factory in Silesia. In 1835, Ludwig also participated in the elections for the Prussian Landtag as a member of the Conservative Faction, after briefly considering joining the Liberal Faction. He eventually joined the Conservatives after continued strife between the Liberals and the Reactionaries led him to believe the Conservatives were a voice of moderation. His political and business connections eventually led him to believe that a war with Denmark for Holstein could be instigated by staging a border incident (see Donnersmarck Plot). To prepare this plot, he invited several prominent politicians and generals to his estate to discuss the matter, including Erich von Labiau, Wilhelm Hoth, Carl Helmke, Hans Carstein and Christoffer zu Muskau. However, during the meeting Wilhelm Hoth left and informed the King about what von Donnersmarck was planning. Several days later, when refugees were apprehended at the Holstein-Mecklenburg border, they were found in possession of a large sum of money provided by Ludwig himself. Following a thorough investigation into the matter, Ludwig von Donnersmarck was found guilty of treason and was imprisoned for life. In 1840, Ludwig committed suicide by hanging himself in his prison cell.