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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
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.
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 2008
[Identification of item], Artur Dinter papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives
| 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.
The collection is arranged in five series, by type of 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