Clemens von Delbrück
Encyclopedia
Clemens Ernst Gottlieb von Delbrück (born 19 January 1856, Halle an der Saale, died 17 December 1921, Jena
) was a German
nationalist politician
and later nobleman.
in Halle between 1873 and 1877. He studied theology
at the Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg and law
at the University of Berlin. In 1882, having passed the staatsexamen
, he gained a government post in Kwidzyn
. He was promoted to the office of district administrator of Tuchola
in 1885 and became President of the city council
of Danzig in 1891. From 1896 to 1902, he was mayor
of Danzig and sat in the Prussian House of Lords
. He was Oberpräsident of West Prussia
from 1902 to 1905.
In 1909, von Delbrück joined the national government as Secretary of the Interior
and Vice-Chancellor
. In these positions he was distinguished by his strong opposition to the parliamentary system
of the Reichstag
but also his role in modernizing the German government. He was also vice-president of Prussia
from 1914 to 1916. In 1912, he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Berlin. During the First World War, the increasing conflict between the Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg and leading figures in the German military, especially Paul Hindenburg led to his replacement with Karl Helfferich
. On his dismissal, he was awarded the Order of the Black Eagle
and was given a letter assigning to him the status of hereditary nobleman. In 1918, he was briefly a member of the Geheimes Zivilkabinett before its dissolution at the end of the German Empire
.
Von Delbrück remained politically active after the war, and was a founding member of the German National People's Party
. He was a member of the Weimar National Assembly
from 1919 to 1920, and of the Reichstag
from 1920 until his death.
Jena
Jena is a university city in central Germany on the river Saale. It has a population of approx. 103,000 and is the second largest city in the federal state of Thuringia, after Erfurt.-History:Jena was first mentioned in an 1182 document...
) was a German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
nationalist politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and later nobleman.
Biography
He was born into a common family, and attended high schoolHigh school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
in Halle between 1873 and 1877. He studied theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
at the Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg and law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
at the University of Berlin. In 1882, having passed the 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...
, he gained a government post in Kwidzyn
Kwidzyn
Kwidzyn is a town in northern Poland on the Liwa river, with 40,008 inhabitants . It has been a part of the Pomeranian Voivodeship since 1999, and was previously in the Elbląg Voivodeship . It is the capital of Kwidzyn County.-History:...
. He was promoted to the office of district administrator of Tuchola
Tuchola
Tuchola is a town in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship in northern Poland. The Pomeranian town, which had a population of 13,976 as of 2004, is located close to the Tuchola Forests about 7t0 km north of Bydgoszcz, and is the seat of Tuchola County...
in 1885 and became President of the city council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
of Danzig in 1891. From 1896 to 1902, he was mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Danzig and sat in the Prussian House of Lords
Prussian House of Lords
The Prussian House of Lords was the first chamber of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Prussia from 1850-1918. The second chamber was the Prussian House of Representatives . The House of Lords was created on January 31, 1850 with the adoption of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Prussia...
. He was Oberpräsident of West Prussia
West Prussia
West Prussia was a province of the Kingdom of Prussia from 1773–1824 and 1878–1919/20 which was created out of the earlier Polish province of Royal Prussia...
from 1902 to 1905.
In 1909, von Delbrück joined the national government as Secretary of the Interior
Federal Ministry of the Interior (Germany)
The Federal Ministry of the Interior is a ministry of the German federal government. Its main office is in Berlin, with a secondary seat in Bonn. The current minister of the interior is Dr...
and Vice-Chancellor
Vice-Chancellor of Germany
The Vice-Chancellor of Germany is, according to protocol, the second highest position in the Cabinet of GermanyIn case of the Chancellor's absence, the vice-chancellor acts in his or her place, for instance by heading cabinet meetings...
. In these positions he was distinguished by his strong opposition to the parliamentary system
Parliamentary system
A parliamentary system is a system of government in which the ministers of the executive branch get their democratic legitimacy from the legislature and are accountable to that body, such that the executive and legislative branches are intertwined....
of the Reichstag
Reichstag (Weimar Republic)
The Reichstag was the parliament of Weimar Republic .German constitution commentators consider only the Reichstag and now the Bundestag the German parliament. Another organ deals with legislation too: in 1867-1918 the Bundesrat, in 1919–1933 the Reichsrat and from 1949 on the Bundesrat...
but also his role in modernizing the German government. He was also vice-president 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...
from 1914 to 1916. In 1912, he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Berlin. During the First World War, the increasing conflict between the Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg and leading figures in the German military, especially Paul Hindenburg led to his replacement with Karl Helfferich
Karl Helfferich
Karl Theodor Helfferich was a German politician, economist, and financier from Neustadt an der Weinstraße in the Palatinate.-Biography:...
. On his dismissal, he was awarded the Order of the Black Eagle
Order of the Black Eagle
The Order of the Black Eagle was the highest order of chivalry in the Kingdom of Prussia. The order was founded on 17 January 1701 by Elector Friedrich III of Brandenburg . In his Dutch exile after WWI, deposed Emperor Wilhelm II continued to award the order to his family...
and was given a letter assigning to him the status of hereditary nobleman. In 1918, he was briefly a member of the Geheimes Zivilkabinett before its dissolution at the end of the German Empire
German Empire
The German Empire refers to Germany during the "Second Reich" period from the unification of Germany and proclamation of Wilhelm I as German Emperor on 18 January 1871, to 1918, when it became a federal republic after defeat in World War I and the abdication of the Emperor, Wilhelm II.The German...
.
Von Delbrück remained politically active after the war, and was a founding member of the German National People's Party
German National People's Party
The German National People's Party was a national conservative party in Germany during the time of the Weimar Republic. Before the rise of the NSDAP it was the main nationalist party in Weimar Germany composed of nationalists, reactionary monarchists, völkisch, and antisemitic elements, and...
. He was a member of the Weimar National Assembly
Weimar National Assembly
The Weimar National Assembly governed Germany from February 6, 1919 to June 6, 1920 and drew up the new constitution which governed Germany from 1919 to 1933, technically remaining in effect even until the end of Nazi rule in 1945...
from 1919 to 1920, and of the Reichstag
Reichstag (Weimar Republic)
The Reichstag was the parliament of Weimar Republic .German constitution commentators consider only the Reichstag and now the Bundestag the German parliament. Another organ deals with legislation too: in 1867-1918 the Bundesrat, in 1919–1933 the Reichsrat and from 1949 on the Bundesrat...
from 1920 until his death.