91³Ô¹ÏÍø

Person    | Male  Born 4/2/1906  Died 9/4/1945

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Categories: Execution, Religion

Countries: Germany

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Lutheran pastor and theologian. 1933 - 35 he was a pastor at two German speaking London churches: German Evangelical Church - Sydenham and the German Reformed Church of St Paul's - Whitechapel.

Born Breslau, now in Poland. He studied in the USA, returned to Germany in 1931 and was ordained as a Lutheran pastor in Berlin. He openly opposed the rise of Hitler but was disappointed at the lack of support so he accepted a 2-year appointment in London.

He returned to Germany where the Nazis opposed his teachings so he ran underground seminaries. He made contact with the German resistance in 1938 but then briefly returned to the States. Feeling a duty to be in Germany he returned and again the Nazis restricted his activities.

He joined the Abwahr, a military intelligence group, officially pro-Nazi but also a centre of resistance and where the assassination of Hitler was planned. (Why the Nazis accepted him is a mystery to us.) In 1943 he was, with others, arrested and eventually executed by hanging.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Commemorated ati

Dietrich Bonhoeffer - E1

Unveiled by the Bishop of London.

91³Ô¹ÏÍø

Dietrich Bonhoeffer - SE23

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, 1906 - 1945, theologian and pastor, lived here, 1933 - 1...

91³Ô¹ÏÍø

Forest Hill mural

{Panel 1:} A Brief Local History In medieval times this area was known as The...

91³Ô¹ÏÍø

Other Subjects

Marian Martyrs executed at Smithfield

Marian Martyrs executed at Smithfield

Queen Mary I (reigned 1553-8) earned the nickname 'Bloody Mary' for the persecution and execution of Protestants and other non-Catholics during her reign.  Wikipedia lists about 40 in an 'incomplet...

Group, Execution, Religion

1 memorial
Robert Salte

Robert Salte

Lay brother at London Charterhouse. Taken Taken to Newgate Prison, chained and left to starve to death.

Person, Execution, Religion

1 memorial
Julius Hirsch

Julius Hirsch

Footballer. Born in Achern, Germany. He was the first Jewish player in the German national football team, and played in the 1912 Olympic Games. He fought in the German Army in WW1, and was decorate...

Person, Execution, Sport / Games, Germany, Poland

1 memorial
Catherine Howard

Catherine Howard

As lady-in-waiting to Anne of Cleves Catherine attracted Henry's ever-roving eye.  Anne was dumped (via the annulment method) and the obese, 49-year old Henry married the 20-year old Catherine.  Sh...

Person, Execution, Royalty, Seriously Famous

3 memorials
Agnes George

Agnes George

Burnt at the stake in Bow (or possibly Stratford) for her Protestant beliefs.

Person, Execution, Religion

1 memorial