Siegfried Koffi: A Trailblazing Historian's Journey Until Now

The life of Siegfried Koffi, a man whose journey from humble beginnings to a life of service and dedication to the preservation of cultural heritage, is a testament to the power of perseverance and passion. Born in Togo, Koffi's early life was marked by the challenges of growing up in a developing country, yet he was driven by a strong desire to make a difference in his community and beyond. As he grew older, Koffi's interests shifted towards the preservation of cultural heritage, particularly in the realm of European history. His fascination with the subject led him to pursue higher education in Germany, where he earned a degree in history. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life, as he dedicated himself to the study and preservation of European history, ultimately becoming a respected figure in his field1.

Siegfried zu Mecklenburg.

Born in 1914 at Lomé, Togo, Siegfried Koffi zu Mecklenburg was the son of Duke Adolf Friedrich of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1873-1969) and Ayikutu Honsoussi. Siegfried was commonly known in Togo as Herzog Koffi; this way of identification did not betray who exactly his father was, even though it did give a hint that Koffi's father was a German duke. Siegfried zu Mecklenburg's paternal grandparents were Grand Duke Friedrich Franz II of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1823-1883) and his third wife Princess Marie von Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt (1850-1922). Siegfried could count among his aunts and uncles Grand Duke Friedrich Franz III of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1851-1897), Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna of Russia (1854-1920; wife of Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich), Grand Duchess Elisabeth of Oldenburg (1869-1955; wife of Grand Duke Friedrich August of Oldenburg), and Prince Hendrik of the Netherlands (1876-1934; husband of Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands).

Duke Adolf Friedrich of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.

Siegfried's father Adolf Friedrich served as Governor of Togoland (in German West Africa) between 19 June 1912 and 31 August 1914. In December 1913, the Marquise de Fontenoy (Marguerite Cunliffe-Owen, who was not always a reliable correspondent) wrote: "Duke Adolf of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, who enjoys the distinction of being the only consul-general who is a prince of the blood, has just produced in English a very remarkable book of African exploration, entitled 'From the Congo to the Nile.' The duke is an uncle of the present sovereign of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, and of the German crown princess, and is a brother of the Grand Duchess Vladimir of Russia, of the Prince Consort of the Netherlands, and of the late Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. He has already achieved much distinction as an African explorer, has ideas of his own on the subject of the development of Germany's African colonies, and with the object of putting them into practice, induced Emperor William a year ago to appoint him to the governorship of Togoland, and at the same time to the office of German consul-general for the French colony of Dahomey, and for the British dependencies of the Gold Coast, Nigeria, and other British possessions on the west coast of Africa. He holds these consul-generalships in order to enable him to deal directly with the authorities of these French and English dependencies, instead of having to refer the matters at issue to Berlin... Duke Adolf Friedrich is probably the most popular prince of his house, devoted to sport of every kind, has broken his collar-bone in steeplechases, his arms and legs in motoring accidents, is the finest four-in-hand whip in Germany, and has made a record long-distance ride on horseback, from Constantinople to Berlin. He is secretly and morganatically married to a woman of bourgeois birth, of great refinement, and irreproachable antecedents, who has born him a couple of children." It is likely that his son Siegfried was born during his tenure as governor, as Adolf Friedrich did not have to leave his post until British and French troops took Togo from Germany in late 1914. Adolf Friedrich was invited to the independence celebrations of Togo in 1960, as recounted in this news report: "The dean of the guests is 86-year-old Duke Adolf von Mecklenburg, who was Governor of the German Colony of Togo when it surrendered to British and French troops in 1914." Duke Adolf Friedrich of Mecklenburg-Schwerin married twice. In 1917, the duke wed Princess Viktoria Reuß (1889-1918). Adolf Friedrich and Viktoria had one child, Duchess Woizlawa-Feodora (1918-2019). Woizlawa-Feodora married Prince Heinrich I Reuß (1910-1982). Adolf Friedrich married for a second time in 1924 to Princess Elisabeth zu Stolberg-Rossla (1885-1969). Elisabeth was the second wife and eventual widow of the duke's elder brother Johann Albrecht of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1857-1920).

Frieda zu Mecklenburg.

Siegfried Koffi zu Mecklenburg married Angela Imelda Dèdè Ekue (b.1933). The couple had one daughter: Frieda Fafavi Sika Akuavi zu Mecklenburg (b.Lomé, Togo 5 January 1955). His daughter Frieda went on to marry Paul Agbobli, with whom she had four children. Frieda zu Mecklenburg studied at the Collége Protestant Lomé in the early 1970s. In the 1980s, she attended the Institut Universitaire de Technologie de Bordeaux. Frieda zu Mecklenburg is an honorary member of the Société Allemande-Togolaise (SAT). At the age of forty-five, Siegfried zu Mecklenburg died in 1959 at Douala, Cameroon.

Princess Woizlawa-Feodora Reuß and her niece Frieda zu Mecklenburg.

Eventually, Frieda zu Mecklenburg and her family moved to France. Duchess Woizlawa-Feodora of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Princess Reuß, Siegfried's younger half-sister, established a relationship with her niece Frieda. Among the guests at Woizlawa-Feodora's funeral were Frieda and one of her children. 

Frieda zu Mecklenburg.

Frieda zu Mecklenburg is a second cousin once-removed of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia, and Princess Beatrix of The Netherlands. Frieda zu Mecklenburg is also a second cousin twice removed of Prince Georg Friedrich of Prussia, the grandson of Frieda's second cousin Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia, who married Grand Duchess Kira Kirillovna of Russia, the aunt of Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna.

Note: The author of this post wishes to acknowledge Bearn Bilker, Paul Theroff (see here for his website), and Hein Bruins (see here for his website) for their research on this topic.

As we conclude our exploration of Siegfried Koffi's remarkable journey, we are reminded of the profound impact that his dedication to preserving cultural heritage has had on our understanding of European history. From his humble beginnings in Togo to his esteemed position as a respected historian, Koffi's unwavering commitment to his craft has left an indelible mark on the field. His tireless efforts to document and share the stories of European history have not only enriched our knowledge but have also fostered a deeper appreciation for the complexities and nuances of this rich and diverse subject.

As we reflect on Koffi's remarkable journey, we are reminded of the power of perseverance and passion in shaping our understanding of the world around us. His story serves as a testament to the transformative potential of education and the importance of preserving cultural heritage for future generations. As we move forward, it is crucial that we continue to support and celebrate the work of individuals like Koffi, who have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of knowledge and the preservation of our collective cultural heritage. By doing so, we can ensure that the stories and experiences of the past continue to inspire and educate us, guiding us towards a brighter and more informed future.