Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Dinter, Artur, 1876-1948
- 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.
- Extent:
- 6 manuscript boxes, 1 oversize box (2.8 Linear Feet)
- Language:
- German
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Artur Dinter papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Background
- Scope and content:
-
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.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Date Event 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 Munich1899 Obtains degree in natural sciences, University of Strasbourg1903 Director of botanical school garden, StrasbourgDoctor of science (chemistry, physics, geology), University of Strasbourg1904? Returns to Strasbourg, appointed director of theatre in Tann, Elsass (Alsace)1904 Establishes a chemistry laboratory at a German school in Constantinople1906 Director and dramaturge, municipal theater of Rostock1907 Appointed director in Schillertheater, Berlin1908 With Max Dreyer and Heinrich Lilienfein, founds the Verband Deutscher Bühnenschriftsteller und Komponisten, and directs its publishing house until 19141914? Removed from various theatrical posts after giving an anti-Semitic speech during a circus performance1914 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 France1917 After contracting cholera while serving in Russia, is discharged from the armed forces1917-1918 Settles in Gräfenroda, Thüringen, begins writing, and makes anti-Semitic speeches throughout Germany1917 Publishes Die Sünde Wider das Blut1920 Publishes Die Sünde Wider den Geist1922 Publishes Die Sünde Wider die Liebe1923 Has an audience in Munich with Adolf Hitler, and pledges his loyalty to Hitler and his cause1924 Elected to the provincial parliament (Landtag) of Thüringen, and works to lift ban on the Nazi party1925 Upon reorganization of Nazi party (NSDAP), Hitler appoints Dinter as Gauleiter of Thüringen1927 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 Nürnberg1928 Expelled from Nazi Party after publishing an article on religion and National Socialism in "Geisteschristentum," the publication of his organization1931-1933 Actively seeks reinstatement in the Nazi Party, and offers his services to Hitler after latter comes to power in 1933, but is rebuffed1933 Changes name of his organization to the "Deutsche Volkskirche, e.V.," and situates headquarters in Bad Homburg1937 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 Homburg1941-1942 Asks Winifred Wagner to appeal directly to Hitler for Dinter's reinstatement into Nazi party and for removal of ban on Deutsche Volkskirche1948, June 21 Died, Offenburg (Baden) - Acquisition information:
- Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 2008
- Arrangement:
-
The collection is arranged in five series, by type of material.
- Physical location:
- Hoover Institution Library & Archives
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
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.
- Terms of access:
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For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Artur Dinter papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives
- Location of this collection:
-
Hoover Institution Library & Archives, Stanford UniversityStanford, CA 94305-6003, US
- Contact:
- (650) 723-3563