Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- Born:
- February 4, 1906, Breslau, Germany (now Wrocław, Poland)
- Died:
- April 9, 1945, Flossenbürg concentration camp, Germany
- Nationality:
- German
- Profession(s):
- Theologian, Pastor, Anti-Nazi Dissident
Early Life and Education
- Born into a large and prominent family.
- Early exposure to intellectual and cultural influences.
- Began theological studies at the University of Tübingen at age 17.
- Studied at the University of Berlin, earning a doctorate in theology in 1927.
- Post-doctoral studies at Union Theological Seminary in New York City (1930-1931).
Career and Major Achievements
- Lecturer in Systematic Theology at the University of Berlin (1931-1936).
- Active in the Confessing Church, a Protestant movement that resisted Nazi control.
- Established and led the illegal seminary Finkenwalde (1935-1937).
- Travelled and lectured extensively, warning of the dangers of Nazism.
- Participated in the German Resistance movement.
- Arrested in April 1943 for helping Jews escape to Switzerland.
- Imprisoned for two years before being executed in Flossenbürg concentration camp.
Notable Works
- Sanctorum Communio (1927)
- The Cost of Discipleship (1937)
- Life Together (1938)
- Ethics (published posthumously, 1949)
- Letters and Papers from Prison (published posthumously, 1951)
Legacy and Impact
Dietrich Bonhoeffer's writings and actions continue to inspire theologians, ethicists, and activists worldwide. His courageous resistance to Nazi tyranny, combined with his profound theological insights, have made him a significant figure in 20th-century thought. Many seeking information on the subject often search for 'dietrich bonhoeffer karl ludwig bonhoeffer biography' to understand his life and influence.