Register of the Artur Dinter papers
Finding aid prepared by Hoover Institution Library and Archives Staff
Hoover Institution Library and Archives
© 2008
434 Galvez Mall
Stanford University
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Title: Artur Dinter papers
Date (inclusive): 1895-1948
Collection Number: 2008C63
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material:
German
Physical Description:
6 manuscript boxes, 1 oversize box
(2.8 Linear Feet)
Abstract: Contains diaries, correspondence, and other materials documenting the life and career of the anti-Semitic writer and ideologue
who was a follower of Adolf Hitler as well as the Nazi and
völkisch movements in Germany during the 1920s.
Creator:
Dinter, Artur, 1876-1948
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Access
The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual
or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.
Use
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Acquisition Information
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 2008
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Artur Dinter papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Biographical Note
| 1876, June 27 |
Born, Mühlhausen, Elsass (Mulhouse, Alsace) |
| 1895-1896 |
Serves in German Army, 130th Infantry Regiment, Saargemünd, Lothringen (Lorraine) |
| 1896 |
Begins university studies in Munich |
| 1899 |
Obtains degree in natural sciences, University of Strasbourg |
| 1903 |
Director of botanical school garden, Strasbourg |
| |
Doctor of science (chemistry, physics, geology), University of Strasbourg |
| 1904? |
Returns to Strasbourg, appointed director of theatre in Tann, Elsass (Alsace) |
| 1904 |
Establishes a chemistry laboratory at a German school in Constantinople |
| 1906 |
Director and dramaturge, municipal theater of Rostock |
| 1907 |
Appointed director in Schillertheater, Berlin |
| 1908 |
With Max Dreyer and Heinrich Lilienfein, founds the Verband Deutscher Bühnenschriftsteller und Komponisten, and directs its
publishing house until 1914
|
| 1914? |
Removed from various theatrical posts after giving an anti-Semitic speech during a circus performance |
| 1914 |
As a senior lieutenant in the reserves, is mobilized into active service with the 136th Infantry Regiment at the outbreak
of war, and shortly thereafter is wounded in France
|
| 1917 |
After contracting cholera while serving in Russia, is discharged from the armed forces |
| 1917-1918 |
Settles in Gräfenroda, Thüringen, begins writing, and makes anti-Semitic speeches throughout Germany |
| 1917 |
Publishes
Die Sünde Wider das Blut
|
| 1920 |
Publishes
Die Sünde Wider den Geist
|
| 1922 |
Publishes
Die Sünde Wider die Liebe
|
| 1923 |
Has an audience in Munich with Adolf Hitler, and pledges his loyalty to Hitler and his cause |
| 1924 |
Elected to the provincial parliament
(Landtag) of Thüringen, and works to lift ban on the Nazi party
|
| 1925 |
Upon reorganization of Nazi party (NSDAP), Hitler appoints Dinter as Gauleiter of Thüringen |
| 1927 |
Resigns from parliament and at his request, Hitler removes from him the duties of Gauleiter, so that he can dedicate himself
to religious activities. Founds Geistchristliche Religionsgemeinschaft in Nürnberg
|
| 1928 |
Expelled from Nazi Party after publishing an article on religion and National Socialism in "Geisteschristentum," the publication
of his organization
|
| 1931-1933 |
Actively seeks reinstatement in the Nazi Party, and offers his services to Hitler after latter comes to power in 1933, but
is rebuffed
|
| 1933 |
Changes name of his organization to the "Deutsche Volkskirche, e.V.," and situates headquarters in Bad Homburg |
| 1937 |
The Deutsche Volkskirche is banned, Dinter moves to Zell am Harmersbach (Baden) |
| 1939-1940 |
Fights attempts by government (?) to confiscate the Wartburghaus, the headquarters of the Deutsche Volkskirche in Bad Homburg |
| 1941-1942 |
Asks Winifred Wagner to appeal directly to Hitler for Dinter's reinstatement into Nazi party and for removal of ban on Deutsche
Volkskirche
|
| 1948, June 21 |
Died, Offenburg (Baden) |
Scope and Content of Collection
The Artur Dinter Papers contain diaries, correspondence, and other materials documenting the life and career of the anti-Semitic
writer and ideologue who was a follower of Adolf Hitler as well as the Nazi and
völkisch movements in Germany during the 1920s. Best known at that time for his anti-Semitic novels, in particular
Die Sünde Wider das Blut, Dinter later turned his attention to creating a Christian theology that was separated from its Jewish roots, and his religious
activities, including his founding of the Deutsche Volkskirche, led to a break with Hitler and his expulsion from the Nazi
party.
The bulk of Dinter's papers consist of
Diaries that he began keeping during his university years, and resumed during his service with the German Army during World War I.
Later diaries cover the years following the ban on the Deutsche Volkskirche, and continue through World War II. These latter
diary entries are complemented by the
Correspondence series, which document his legal battles with the government following this ban, as well as attempts by the authorities to
expropriate the Wartburghaus, the headquarters of the Deutsche Volkskirche in Bad Homburg. In particular, correspondence with
his attorney, Franz Heydenreich and his cousin, Alfred Kunert, documents this struggle. Correspondence also includes Winifred
Wagner, the daughter-in-law of the composer Richard Wagner, to whom Dinter turned for help, hoping that she could intercede
personally with Hitler on his behalf.
The
Miscellaneous material includes various notebooks, financial records, depositions given by Dinter during various legal hearings during
and after World War II, calendars, a family history of Dinter, a diary about his young son, Siegfried, and a portrait given
to Dinter by Houston Chamberlain. The Photograph section contains snapshots and portraits of Dinter, his family, friends,
and associates, ranging from the 1890s in Strasbourg through the 1930s. Included are two photo albums with family photographs
and events at the Wartburghaus in 1936-1937.
The one box of
Oversized Material contains volumes of the newspaper published by the
Deutsche Volkskirche, Die religiöse Revolution, and a scrapbook sized leaf of photographs of Dinter, his wife, and various associates.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in five series, by type of material.
Related Material
Robert Holtzmann papers, Hoover Institution Library & Archives (contains a file of correspondence with Dinter in regard to
the Tannenbergbund)
Friedrich Katz collection, Hoover Institution Library & Archives (contains pamphlet material from Dinter)
Karl von Loesch collection, Hoover Institution Library & Archives (contains pamphlet material from Dinter)
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Germany -- History -- 1933-1945
National socialism
Germany -- Religion
Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiter-Partei
Diaries
1895-1945.
Scope and Contents note
Manuscript and typescript entries, in bound notebooks. Arranged chronologically.
box 2, folder 6
1919, November-1921, December
box 2, folder 9
1939, January-1940, April
box 3, folder 1
1940, April-1943, February
Correspondence
1939-1943.
Scope and Contents note
Arranged alphabetically by correspondent, and then chronologically.
box 4, folder 1
Heppner, Heinrich
1939-1940
Miscellaneous
1919-1946.
Scope and Contents note
Calendars, legal depositions, newspaper clippings, notebooks, pin, and portrait. Arranged by type of material.
box 4, folder 12
Clippings about ban on Deutsche Volkskirche, e.V.
1937
General note
(also see Box 7)
box 4, folder 13
Drawing of Houston Stewart Chamberlain, inscribed by Chamberlain to Dinter
1919 (?)
box 5, folder 2
Financial records, Waldruh
1919-1922
Legal depositions of Arthur Dinter
box 5, folder 7
Diary about birth and infancy of Dinter's son, Siegfried (in volume titled "Das Evangelium")
1930-1931
box 5, folder 9
English vocabulary
1945-1946
box 5, folder 11
Pin with insignia of Deutsche Volkskirche, e.V.
Photographs
1895-1955.
Scope and Contents note
Arranged in rough chronological order.
box 6, folder 1
Women, unidentified, from Strasbourg
circa 1895
box 6, folder 2
Dinter's father
circa 1911
box 6, folder 3
World War I, various
circa 1914-1915
box 6, folder 4
Erich Ludendorff, inscribed photo-postcard
1924
box 6, folder 5
Artur Dinter giving speech
1927
box 6, folder 6
Artur Dinter, inscribed photo-postcard
1936
box 6, folder 7
Friedrich Magnus Graf zu Solms-Wildenfels
1939 and undated
box 6, folder 8
Portraits of Artur Dinter
undated
box 6, folder 9
Sculpted bust of Artur Dinter
undated
box 6, folder 10
Unidentified, women and family members
1897-1955 and undated
Oversized Material
1934-1937.
Scope and Contents note
Bound volumes of newspapers, photograph leaf.
box 7
Photographs of Dinter's wife and associates, pasted on scrapbook page with Deutsche Volkskirche emblem, undated
circa 1937
box 7
Large format clippings about ban on Deutsche Volkskirche, e.V.
1937
box 7
Die religiöse Revolution, Numbers 18-72
December 1934-June 1937
