Burkhard Hirsch
Encyclopedia
Burkhard Hirsch is a German
politician
and civil liberties
advocate. A member of the Free Democratic Party
, Hirsch spent 21 years in the German Bundestag (1972–1975, 1980–1998). He also served five years as Minister of the Interior of Northrhine-Westphalia (1975–1980).
Born in Magdeburg
, then part of Prussia
n Province of Saxony
, Hirsch earned his Abitur
in Halle (Saale), and went on to attend the University of Marburg, majoring in legal studies. He received his first and second Staatsexamen
in 1954 and 1959, respectively, and earned his Doctor of Laws in 1961 (Doctoral thesis: ).
A member of the FDP since 1949, Hirsch first attained in a seat in the Bundestag in the German federal election, 1972
. He left to become Minister of the Interior of Northrhine-Westphalia in 1975, but returned in 1980. He has gained a reputation as one of the most vocal advocates for civil liberties in Germany, which earned him the Arnold Freymuth Prize (1998) and the Fritz Bauer Prize
(2006). Hirsch was also awarded an honorary doctorate by the Goethe University Frankfurt (2006), and praised in the laudatory speech by Peter-Alexis Albrecht as "a nonpartisan, relentless, and aggressive advocate of rigorous rule of law".
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and civil liberties
Civil liberties
Civil liberties are rights and freedoms that provide an individual specific rights such as the freedom from slavery and forced labour, freedom from torture and death, the right to liberty and security, right to a fair trial, the right to defend one's self, the right to own and bear arms, the right...
advocate. A member of the Free Democratic Party
Free Democratic Party (Germany)
The Free Democratic Party , abbreviated to FDP, is a centre-right classical liberal political party in Germany. It is led by Philipp Rösler and currently serves as the junior coalition partner to the Union in the German federal government...
, Hirsch spent 21 years in the German Bundestag (1972–1975, 1980–1998). He also served five years as Minister of the Interior of Northrhine-Westphalia (1975–1980).
Born in Magdeburg
Magdeburg
Magdeburg , is the largest city and the capital city of the Bundesland of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Magdeburg is situated on the Elbe River and was one of the most important medieval cities of Europe....
, then part of Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
n Province of Saxony
Province of Saxony
The Province of Saxony was a province of the Kingdom of Prussia and later the Free State of Prussia from 1816 until 1945. Its capital was Magdeburg.-History:The province was created in 1816 out of the following territories:...
, Hirsch earned his Abitur
Abitur
Abitur is a designation used in Germany, Finland and Estonia for final exams that pupils take at the end of their secondary education, usually after 12 or 13 years of schooling, see also for Germany Abitur after twelve years.The Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife, often referred to as...
in Halle (Saale), and went on to attend the University of Marburg, majoring in legal studies. He received his first and second Staatsexamen
Staatsexamen
The ' is a German government licensing examination that future doctors, teachers, pharmacists, food chemists and jurists have to pass to be allowed to work in their profession. The examination is generally organized by government examination agencies which are under the authority of the...
in 1954 and 1959, respectively, and earned his Doctor of Laws in 1961 (Doctoral thesis: ).
A member of the FDP since 1949, Hirsch first attained in a seat in the Bundestag in the German federal election, 1972
German federal election, 1972
The 7th German federal election, 1972, was conducted on 19 November 1972, to elect members to the Bundestag of the Federal Republic of Germany...
. He left to become Minister of the Interior of Northrhine-Westphalia in 1975, but returned in 1980. He has gained a reputation as one of the most vocal advocates for civil liberties in Germany, which earned him the Arnold Freymuth Prize (1998) and the Fritz Bauer Prize
Fritz Bauer Prize
The Fritz Bauer Prize is a prize awarded by the Humanist Union, established in 1968 in memory of its founder, Fritz Bauer, the longtime Attorney General of Hesse...
(2006). Hirsch was also awarded an honorary doctorate by the Goethe University Frankfurt (2006), and praised in the laudatory speech by Peter-Alexis Albrecht as "a nonpartisan, relentless, and aggressive advocate of rigorous rule of law".