RITTER Gerhard (Ritter)

Ritter, Gerhard (Ritter), (1888-1967), famous German historian, opponent of Nazism. Born April 6, 1888 in Bad-tick. He graduated from the University of Hamburg. In 1925 he was invited to a teaching job at the University of Freiburg, where he worked intermittently until 1956. Author of numerous scientific papers and articles on various aspects of history, biographies of Luther, Frederick the Great, Gneisenau and others. As a sincere adherent of Protestantism, Ritter strongly rejected the Nazis and joined the activities Bekentniskirhe, confessional church, immediately after its formation. Enters into the Freiburg group, the organization of conservative nationalists, whose aim was to overthrow the Hitler regime in the country. Together with his close friend Carl Friedrich Goerdeler Ritter, if successful, their ideas represent the future of Germany as a peaceful partner in the European community. Ritter was arrested in 1944 and released from prison by Soviet Army. He died July 1, 1967 in Freiburg.