Background
Von Hess was born in Hammelburg as the youngest of three sons of the landholder and Hofrat Philipp von Hess and his wife Gertraud, née Wankel.
Von Hess was born in Hammelburg as the youngest of three sons of the landholder and Hofrat Philipp von Hess and his wife Gertraud, née Wankel.
He visited the Gymnasium in his hometown, and finished his studies of mathematics and sciences at the University of Würzburg, before he joined the Landwehr of Fulda in 1813, and took part in the campaigns under Prince Schwarzenberg in France. From 1833 to 1843 he served in Greece under the governing prince regent Otto, and joined the Bavarian army. Von Hess was war minister from January 20 to June 16, 1862.
He was acting for a second period from October 10, 1862 to March 1, 1863, and for a third time from July 26 to August 15, 1863.
In 1867 he was retired, and died in Kissingen.