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

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Categories: Execution, Religion

Countries: Germany

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 here 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.

Read More

Dietrich Bonhoeffer - SE23

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

Read More

Forest Hill mural

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

Read More

Other Subjects

John Tiptoft, Earl of Worcester

John Tiptoft, Earl of Worcester

Unusually well-educated.  Titles: Lord High Treasurer, Lord High Constable, Deputy Governor of Ireland.... and Butcher of England - for his relish in executing many Lancastrians.  Thus when the Lan...

Person, Execution, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Thomas Fust

Thomas Fust

Burnt at the stake in Ware (his home town) for his Protestant beliefs. Was associated with Harwood. Condemned by Bishop Bonner.

Person, Execution, Religion

1 memorial
William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury

William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury

Born Reading. 1628 became Bishop of London. 1633 became Archbishop of Canterbury. Supported Charles I, opposed many of the church practices that had come in during Queen Elizabeth's reign and perse...

Person, Execution, Politics & Administration, Religion

2 memorials
Warne, Jnr.

Warne, Jnr.

Either burnt or poisoned in prison for his Protestant beliefs. Son of Elizabeth.

Person, Execution, Religion

1 memorial
Sir William Wallace

Sir William Wallace

Scottish knight and national hero. Born Renfrewshire. Convicted of treason Wallace was executed at Smithfield. He was hanged, drawn and quartered - a very gruesome death reserved for traitors. Mel ...

Person, Execution, Nationalism, Scotland

2 memorials