Max Knake

Max Knake (1842-1921) was a German civil servant and intelligence officer. He served as the head of the cipher bureau (Chiffrierstelle) of the German Foreign Office from 1890 to 1914. During his tenure, the Chiffrierstelle achieved significant breakthroughs in cryptanalysis, notably compromising the diplomatic codes of several nations, including France, Russia, and Great Britain.

Knake's work was pivotal in providing German policymakers with insights into the diplomatic communications of other major powers in the lead-up to and during World War I. His leadership and the successes of the Chiffrierstelle significantly shaped German foreign policy during this period. His methods involved meticulous analysis of intercepted messages and the exploitation of weaknesses in commonly used cryptographic systems.

After his retirement in 1914, Knake remained a consultant to the German government on cryptographic matters. He is considered a key figure in the development of modern signal intelligence and played a crucial role in establishing Germany as a leading power in the field of cryptanalysis. His contributions, while often shrouded in secrecy due to the nature of his work, had a considerable impact on the course of international relations in the early 20th century.