Werner Dankwort facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carl Werner Dankwort
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Dankwort in 1950
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| German Observer to the United Nations | |
| In office 1958–1960 |
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| German Ambassador to Brazil | |
| In office 1956–1958 |
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| German Ambassador to Canada | |
| In office 1951–1956 |
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| Preceded by | Office created |
| Succeeded by | Hasso von Etzdorf |
| German Consul General to Canada | |
| In office 1950–1951 |
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| Preceded by | Office created |
| First Secretary to the German Legation in Stockholm | |
| In office 1938–1945 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 August 1895 Gumbinnen, East Prussia, German Empire (now Gusev, Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia) |
| Died | 19 December 1986 (aged 91) Hyannis, Massachusetts, United States |
| Alma mater | University of Würzburg |
| Occupation | Diplomat |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  German Empire |
| Branch/service |  Imperial German Navy |
| Years of service | 1916 |
| Rank | Oberleutnant |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
Carl Werner Dankwort (born August 13, 1895 – died December 19, 1986) was an important German diplomat. He was born in Gumbinnen, East Prussia, which is now Gusev, Russia.
Dankwort played a big part in Germany joining the League of Nations in 1926. This was an organization that aimed to keep peace after World War I. Later, he also helped represent Germany in the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation. This group was part of the Marshall Plan, which helped rebuild Europe after World War II.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Carl Werner Dankwort finished high school and studied law for a short time. He then served as a soldier in World War I from 1914 to 1918. After the war, he earned a law degree from the University of Würzburg in 1920.
Becoming a Diplomat
In 1920, Dankwort began his career in diplomacy. He worked as a consul in Zurich, Switzerland. Soon after, in 1927, he moved to Stockholm, Sweden. There, he received a special award called the Swedish Cross of the Commander of the Order of Vasa.
He returned to Bern in 1931. In 1932 and 1933, he took part in the World Disarmament Conference. During this time, he stood against the National Socialist Party trying to gain influence in the German consulate in Switzerland. Because of his opposition, he was moved to Trieste and couldn't advance in his career.
Helping Sweden During World War II
Dankwort knew a lot about Sweden and could speak Swedish. This led him to become the first secretary for the German office in Stockholm from 1938 to 1945. During World War II, he worked to make sure his reports to Berlin helped Sweden avoid extreme actions from Germany. This helped Sweden stay out of the war.
In 1945, he gave a German visa to Count Folke Bernadotte. This allowed the Count to meet with Heinrich Himmler to discuss a possible end to the war.
Post-War Career
After the war, Dankwort faced some challenges. He was held by the British for a while. During this time, he also started painting.
In 1950, he rejoined the West German diplomatic service. He became the consul general and then the ambassador to Canada in 1951. This helped Germany rebuild its relationship with Canada after the war. From 1956 to 1958, he served as the German ambassador to Brazil. Finally, from 1958 to 1960, he was the West German Observer to the United Nations.
Carl Werner Dankwort passed away on December 19, 1986, in Hyannis, Massachusetts.
Family Life
Dankwort married Irma Salvisberg in 1938. They had two sons, Rudolf and Juergen. Both Werner and Irma were against the Nazi Party and Hitler's rule. They moved to Sweden, which remained neutral during World War II. Werner Dankwort's position in Stockholm helped him prevent Nazi plans to invade Sweden. This allowed Sweden to become a safe place for people escaping Nazi persecution.
Rudolf, their son, studied at Harvard University and later electrical engineering at Duke University. He settled in Phoenix, Arizona. Juergen, their other son, moved back to Canada. He studied at McGill University and earned his doctorate in social work from the Université de Montréal in 1994. He now lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, where he teaches and works for human rights.
Irma, Werner Dankwort's wife, volunteered at a hospital in Stockholm during the war. She passed away on February 9, 1999.
