All the People

If you just want to see the people in our database you can browse them here.

Wilhelm Brasse

Photographer from Auschwitz concentration camp
Born
1917 108 years ago
Died
October 23rd, 2012 13 years ago — 95 years old

A Polish photographer documented life in the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II. After being imprisoned, created over 40,000 photos of inmates, capturing their faces and stories. After the war, Brasse became an advocate for the remembrance of the Holocaust and shared experiences of survival through his photography. His work served as a historical record and contributed to the preservation of memory regarding the atrocities of the Holocaust.

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Wilhelm Burgdorf

German general during World War II
Born
February 14th, 1895 130 years ago
Died
1945 80 years ago — 50 years old

Served as a general in the German Army during World War II. Played significant roles in various military operations and was involved in the planning of campaigns on the Eastern Front. Contributed to the execution of orders related to troop movements and logistics. Held the position of Chief of Staff for the German Army Group Center. Was captured by Allied forces at the end of the war.

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Wilhelm Busch

German poet and illustrator of Max und Moritz
Born
April 15th, 1832 193 years ago
Died
January 9th, 1908 117 years ago — 75 years old

A notable German poet, illustrator, and painter, contributed significantly to the development of the comic strip genre. His most recognized work, 'Max und Moritz,' was published in 1865 and became iconic for its use of humor and illustrations to convey narratives. Busch's style blended visual art with poetry, influencing future generations of cartoonists and illustrators. His works often included satirical takes on everyday life, morality, and social issues, engaging audiences across various demographics. Besides 'Max und Moritz,' Busch produced numerous other illustrated poems that displayed his innovative approach, which combined visual storytelling with sharp wit.

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Wilhelm Camphausen

Painter and academic with historical works
Born
1818 207 years ago
Died
June 16th, 1885 140 years ago — 67 years old

Contribution to the historical painting genre included numerous works that depicted significant events in German history. Focus on creating large-scale historical scenes marked Camphausen's career, earning recognition for the attention to detail and composition in his canvases. Active in the 19th century, worked in various artistic styles reflective of the time. His academic role influenced generations of artists through teaching and mentorship.

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Wilhelm Canaris

German admiral and intelligence chief
Born
January 1st, 1887 138 years ago
Died
April 9th, 1945 80 years ago — 58 years old

Served as an admiral in the German Navy and headed the Abwehr, the German military intelligence organization, during World War II. Played a significant role in gathering intelligence and counterintelligence operations. Involved in various anti-Nazi conspiracies, working to undermine the regime of Adolf Hitler. Arrested and executed by the Nazi regime due to suspicions of disloyalty in 1945. Remembered for navigating complex political and military landscapes during his service.

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Wilhelm Cauer

Mathematician known for functional analysis
Born
June 24th, 1900 125 years ago
Died
April 22nd, 1945 80 years ago — 44 years old

Contributed significantly to the field of mathematics, particularly in the area of functional analysis and approximation theory. Worked on problems related to integral equations and developed Cauer's theorem, which is a key result in the theory of continued fractions. Served as a professor and influenced the academic community through both teaching and extensive research. His work laid foundations for modern analysis and had implications in various applied fields.

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Wilhelm Cuno

Chancellor of Germany during turmoil
Born
July 2nd, 1876 149 years ago
Died
January 3rd, 1933 92 years ago — 56 years old

Served as Chancellor of Germany from 1922 to 1923 during a period marked by political and economic challenges. Cuno was a lawyer by training and initially entered politics through the German National People's Party. His government faced hyperinflation and social unrest, leading to significant instability. Cuno's administration adopted various measures to address the economic crisis and sought to stabilize the political situation. After stepping down, Cuno continued to be involved in politics and international diplomacy until his death in 1933.

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Wilhelm Dilthey

German psychologist, sociologist, historian
Born
November 19th, 1833 191 years ago
Died
1911 114 years ago — 78 years old

Contributed significantly to the fields of psychology, sociology, and philosophy. Developed the concept of the 'Geisteswissenschaften' or human sciences, which distinguished human studies from natural sciences. Emphasized the importance of understanding human experiences and historical context through a subjective lens. Authored several works that explored the nature of the human sciences, including 'Einleitung in die Geisteswissenschaften.' Advocated for a methodological framework that recognized the complexity of human behavior and cultural phenomena.

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Wilhelm Eduard Weber

German physicist and academic
Born
October 24th, 1804 221 years ago
Died
June 23rd, 1891 134 years ago — 86 years old

Contributed significantly to the field of physics, particularly in electromagnetism. Developed the first electromagnetic telegraph in collaboration with Samuel Morse. Worked on the theory of magnetism, leading to results that influenced later scientists. Served as a professor at the University of Göttingen, where his research and teachings laid foundational aspects of modern physics.

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Wilhelm Egon von Fürstenberg

German cardinal and church leader
Born
December 2nd, 1629 395 years ago
Died
April 10th, 1704 321 years ago — 74 years old

A cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church, served as the Bishop of Strasbourg. Contributed to ecclesiastical matters during a period of significant church reform. Held important positions within the church hierarchy, advocating for the Catholic faith and influencing the direction of his diocese. Engaged in theological debates and managed relationships between the church and state authorities in Germany.

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Wilhelm Fabry

German surgeon and medical author
Born
June 25th, 1560 465 years ago
Died
1634 391 years ago — 74 years old

Contributions to surgery in the early modern period established foundational principles for the field. Focused on surgical techniques and the treatment of wounds, authored significant medical texts that outlined procedures and provided insights into anatomy. Developed strategies for managing injuries and adopted a systematic approach to surgery. The influence of work persisted in the medical curriculum and practice in subsequent centuries.

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Wilhelm Filchner

German-Swiss Arctic explorer and geographer
Born
September 13th, 1877 148 years ago
Died
1957 68 years ago — 80 years old

An explorer focused on polar regions, conducted significant research in Antarctica and the Arctic. Led an expedition to Antarctica from 1911 to 1912, mapping areas previously unexplored. Contributed to the understanding of glacial movements and ice formations. His expeditions provided valuable data for future polar research.

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