The New International Encyclopædia/Schön, Heinrich Theodor von

SCHÖN, shẽn, Heinrich Theodor von (1773-1856). A Prussian statesman, born in Lithuania. He studied law and political science at Königsberg. In 1793 he entered the Government service and was rapidly promoted, serving as Governor. After the Peace of Tilsit he rendered great assistance in carrying out the reforms of Stein and Hardenberg, and to him is attributed the authorship of the Politisches Testament, which Stein issued upon his retirement from office. In 1816 Schön was appointed Governor of West Prussia, and eight years afterwards of the whole Province of Prussia. Under his administration many reforms were made. He was an ardent liberal, and it was partly through his efforts that upon the accession of the new King in 1840 a demand was made for a constitution. Schön was made Minister of State, but his ideas were too advanced for Frederick William IV., and he found it expedient in 1842 to retire from political life. His memoirs and correspondence were published by his son under the title of Aus den Papieren des Ministers und Burggrafen von Marienburg Theodor von Schön (1875-83). Consult Seeley, Life and Times of Stein (Cambridge, 1878).