Wilhelm Ihno Adolf von Freeden (12 May 1822 Norden, German Confederation – 11 January 1894 Bonn) was a German mathematician and expert on navigation.
He was director of the school of navigation at Elsfleth, Oldenburg, and later settled in Hamburg.
The purpose of the observatory was to promote and to facilitate maritime intercourse.
In 1945, the tasks of the German Naval Observatory were turned over to the German Hydrographic Institute (Deutsche Hydrographische Institut), and in 1990 that agency in turn became part of the present day Federal Department of Shipping and Hydrography (Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie).
He founded, with H. Tecklenborg-Bremen, a publication entitled Hansa, Zeitschrift für Seewesen, which he edited until 1891.