Wilhelm Voigt, German criminal (b. 1849)

Friedrich Wilhelm Voigt: The Audacious Captain of Köpenick

Friedrich Wilhelm Voigt (13 February 1849 – 3 January 1922) was a German shoemaker and a master impostor who etched his name into history through an extraordinary act of deception in 1906. This audacious event, which became known as the Köpenick Incident, saw Voigt, an ex-convict with a history of forgery and theft, successfully masquerade as a Prussian military officer, exploit the rigid Prussian reverence for authority, and orchestrate a remarkable swindle that captivated an entire nation.

The Daring Imposture of 1906

On 16 October 1906, Voigt, having acquired a genuine captain's uniform from a second-hand shop, presented himself as a captain of the 1st Foot Guards regiment. Despite lacking any military background, his commanding demeanor and the power inherent in the Prussian uniform were enough to convince four unsuspecting grenadiers and later a sergeant and six privates to fall under his "command." Under the guise of a top-secret military operation, Voigt marched these soldiers to the town hall of Köpenick, then an independent town near Berlin (now a district within the city). The unsuspecting soldiers, trained to obey unquestioningly, followed his every instruction.

Upon arriving at the town hall, Voigt, with the soldiers at his back, immediately placed the mayor, Georg Langerhans, and the town treasurer under arrest, accusing them of irregularities in the municipal accounts. He then "confiscated" the municipal treasury, absconding with a sum exceeding 4,000 marks – a substantial amount for the era, equivalent to tens of thousands of Euros today. He instructed the soldiers to guard the town hall for a specific period before dismissing them, leaving the local officials utterly bewildered and the soldiers none the wiser until much later.

Arrest, Imprisonment, and Unforeseen Celebrity

Voigt's ingenious scheme was short-lived. He was apprehended ten days later after a former cellmate recognized him from newspaper reports and informed the authorities. Despite the seemingly serious nature of his crime – impersonating an officer and theft – the incident became a source of widespread amusement and satirical commentary throughout Germany and beyond. Voigt was subsequently sentenced to four years in prison for forgery, impersonation, and aggravated theft, ultimately serving just two years.

His release was largely due to the surprising intervention of Kaiser Wilhelm II himself. The Kaiser, reportedly amused by the audacity and the satirical implications of the event – which highlighted the unquestioning obedience to uniforms in Wilhelmine Germany – ordered Voigt's pardon on 16 August 1908. This act solidified Voigt's transformation from a common criminal into a bona fide folk hero, affectionately known as "the Captain of Köpenick" (German: der Hauptmann von Köpenick [ˈhaʊptman fɔn ˈkøːpənɪk] (listen)).

A Legacy of Laughter and Satire

The Köpenick Incident became a powerful symbol of satire, exposing the inherent absurdity of an authoritarian society where a uniform could command more respect and obedience than true authority or common sense. Voigt's story resonated deeply with a public that often felt stifled by the rigid class system and military dominance of the era. His audacious act was seen not just as a crime, but as a brilliant, albeit criminal, piece of social commentary.

Upon his release, Friedrich Wilhelm Voigt fully embraced his newfound celebrity. He capitalized on his fame by appearing in various public performances, even touring internationally, retelling his story to eager audiences. He sold signed postcards in his "captain's uniform" and published an autobiography titled "Wie ich Hauptmann von Köpenick wurde" (How I Became the Captain of Köpenick). His exploits inspired numerous plays, books, and films, including a renowned 1931 film starring Max Adalbert and a popular 1956 adaptation featuring Heinz Rühmann, cementing his place in German cultural memory. Friedrich Wilhelm Voigt passed away on 3 January 1922 in Luxembourg, leaving behind a legacy as one of history's most celebrated impostors.

---

Frequently Asked Questions About the Captain of Köpenick

Who was Friedrich Wilhelm Voigt?

Friedrich Wilhelm Voigt (1849–1922) was a German shoemaker and ex-convict who became famous as "the Captain of Köpenick" for his audacious act of impersonating a Prussian military officer in 1906 to steal money from a municipal treasury.

What was the Köpenick Incident?

The Köpenick Incident refers to Voigt's 1906 scheme where he, dressed as a Prussian captain, "commanded" a group of unsuspecting soldiers to assist him in "confiscating" over 4,000 marks from the Köpenick town hall treasury, thereby highlighting the blind obedience to military authority in Wilhelmine Germany.

Why was he called "the Captain of Köpenick"?

He earned the moniker "the Captain of Köpenick" because his impersonation involved dressing as a captain and his crime took place in the town of Köpenick.

How much money did Friedrich Wilhelm Voigt "confiscate"?

He "confiscated" more than 4,000 marks from the municipal treasury, a significant sum at the time.

Why was he pardoned by Kaiser Wilhelm II?

Kaiser Wilhelm II was reportedly amused by the audacity and satirical nature of the incident, which exposed a peculiar societal flaw. He commuted Voigt's sentence, effectively granting him an early release and cementing his folk hero status.

What was the lasting legacy of the Captain of Köpenick?

The Captain of Köpenick became a celebrated folk hero and a symbol of satire, illustrating the blind deference to authority in Wilhelmine Germany. His story has been retold in numerous plays, books, and films, solidifying its place in German cultural history.