submitted on Fri, 04/25/2008 - 13:27 in Obituaries Niche by BossyDiva 
Even as a top-rank diplomat, Erwin Wickert could not suppress his innate sense
of mischief. His service as minister at the German Embassy in London from
l968 to l971 coincided with the l50th anniversary of the birth of Karl Marx.
Wickert got wind of the fact that a group of left-wingers were planning a
commemorative gathering at Marx’s graveside in Highgate cemetery. So he
decided to steal a march on them. And when the disciples arrived at
Highgate, they found the grave adorned by a big wreath placed there in the
name of the German government with the inscription: “To this German scholar
from the German government.” Before Wickert could go to Highgate, he had to
get permission from his reluctant foreign minister in Bonn, Willy Brandt.
Source: Times
