Jesko von Puttkamer | |
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| 4thGouverneur of Kamerun | |
| In office 13 August 1895 – 9 May 1907 | |
| Preceded by | Eugen von Zimmerer |
| Succeeded by | Theodor Seitz |
| 3rdLandeshauptleute ofTogoland | |
| In office 4 June 1892 – 13 August 1895 | |
| Preceded by | Eugen von Zimmerer |
| Succeeded by | August Kohler |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 July 1855 Berlin,Kingdom of Prussia |
| Died | 23 January 1917 (aged 61) Berlin,Prussia,German Empire |
| Cause of death | Suicide by hanging |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  German Empire |
| Branch/service |  Imperial German Army |
| Years of service | 1885–1908 |
| Rank | Major |
| Battles/wars | Adamawa Wars Bafut Wars |
Jesko Albert Eugen von Puttkamer (2 July 1855 – 23 January 1917) was a German diplomat, colonial administrator, and military officer who served as colonial governor of GermanKamerun from 1895 to 1907.
Jesko von Puttkamer was born to an aristocratic family. His father,Robert von Puttkamer,[1] served asInterior Minister of Prussia, while his aunt,Johanna von Puttkamer, was the wife ofOtto von Bismarck. Puttkamer studied law at various schools throughout Germany, and as a young man became notorious for engaging in gambling and prostitution.[2] In 1883, he began his diplomatic career working at the German Consulate inChicago.
In 1885, as a result of his frivolous lifestyle, Puttkamer was sent to the newly-established German colony ofKamerun in Africa, where he became a colonial diplomat, and was also drafted into theImperial German Army as an officer in theSchutztruppe. He was eventually appointed by governorJulius von Soden to serve as Deputy Governor, a position which he served until 1890, after which he worked as a German diplomat inNigeria. From 1892 to 1895, Puttkamer served asLandeshauptmann ofTogoland.
Jesko von Puttkamer was appointed Governor of Kamerun on 13 August 1895, succeedingEugen von Zimmerer. During his term, he launched military campaigns against the kingdoms of theAdamawa andBafut, after both had uprisen against German rule. It was during these campaigns that Puttkamer and his troops committed several atrocities, including forced castrations, fatal floggings, and the kidnapping of young girls to be employed as concubines.[2] In addition, he employed forced labor and favored the rights of white men and his troops over those of native women, which put him at odds with missionaries in the region.[3] In response to these misdeeds, KingManga Ndumbe Bell of theDuala led a delegation of tribal chieftains toBerlin in 1902 to appeal to the German government in protest of Puttkamer's actions. This delegation was unsuccessful, and three years later Bell made a second attempt, only to be arrested by Puttkamer upon his return and given a prison sentence of nine years.
By 1906, news of Bell's arrest and the events in Kamerun had led to a public outcry, and Puttkamer was finally put on trial. During the trial, Puttkamer was found guilty of acts ofinsubordination, and was made to pay a fine of 1,000Reichsmarks. On 9 May 1907, Puttkamer was dismissed as governor by German colonial secretaryBernhard Dernburg.[2][4] Puttkamer had built a lavish residence for himself inBuea; following his dismissal, the residence was occupied by the new civilian governor of KamerunTheodor Seitz.[5]
Jesko von Puttkamer officially retired from military service in 1908. In 1914, after many decades of celibacy, he married Elisabeth Passow. They had one son, who died in infancy. Puttkamer hanged himself on 23 January 1917.
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