Albert Alexander, Graf von Pourtalès (10 September 1812 – 18 December 1861), was a Prussian diplomat and leading representative of the Wochenblatt Party.

Pourtalès was born on 10 September 1812 in Paris into a family descended from French Huguenots that had first been ennobled under King Frederick II in 1750.

[3] From 1850 to 1851, Pourtalès was Envoy to Constantinople during which time he was in close contact with Christian Charles Josias von Bunsen.

[5] Although there was considerable similarity with Prussia in terms of the Crimean War and strategy, Pourtalès was one of Otto von Bismarck's harshest critics during this time and clearly recognized his increasingly functional relationship with the conservatives.

[5] After the failure of the London mission, Pourtalès had to withdraw from the diplomatic service, in part due to the conflict between the King and his successor (later William I).