ABEKEN, HEINRICH (1809-1872), German theologian and Prussian official, was born at Berlin on Aug. 8, 1809. In 1848 he entered the Prussian ministry for foreign affairs, and in 1853 was promoted to be privy councillor of legation (Geheimer Legationsrath). He was employed by Bismarck in the writing of official despatches, and often accompanied King William on his journeys as representative of the foreign office and was with him during the campaigns of 1866 and 187o-71.
See Heinrich Abeken, ein schlichtes Leben in bewegter Zeit (1898), by his widow. English translation by Mrs. C. E. Barrett-Lennard and M. W. Hofer (with portraits Iga I). This is valuable by reason of the letters written from the Prussian headquarters.