Births on February 2

Ernst Hanfstaengl, German businessman (d. 1975)

Ernst Hanfstaengl: A Complex Figure Navigating the Ascendance of Hitler and the Corridors of Power in Washington

Ernst Franz Sedgwick Hanfstaengl (German pronunciation: [ˈɛʁnst hanfˈʃtɛŋl̩]; 2 February 1887 – 6 November 1975) was a unique and often contradictory figure in 20th-century history. Born into an affluent German family with significant American ties, he leveraged his bicultural background and personal charisma to become a prominent businessman before entering the tumultuous world of early National Socialism. Initially a close confidant and financial supporter of Adolf Hitler, Hanfstaengl's journey took a dramatic turn, leading him to defect from Nazi Germany and ultimately serve as an invaluable intelligence asset for the United States during World War II, notably advising President Franklin D. Roosevelt. His remarkable life also included an intriguing connection to the literary world through his engagement to the renowned American author Djuna Barnes.

Early Life and Influential Connections: The "German-American" Foundation

Born in Munich, Bavaria, Ernst Hanfstaengl belonged to an old and distinguished family of Bavarian art publishers and photographic entrepreneurs, the Franz Hanfstaengl company, which specialized in reproductions of masterpieces. His mother was an American, a descendant of General John Sedgwick, a Union Army general in the American Civil War, which granted him dual German-American citizenship. Hanfstaengl's upbringing provided him with a sophisticated education; he studied at Harvard University, graduating in 1909, and subsequently spent several years in the United States managing the family's art publishing business in New York. This period allowed him to cultivate a vast network of influential contacts within American high society, a network that would later prove both significant and controversial.

From Enthusiastic Supporter to Foreign Press Chief: Hanfstaengl's Role in Hitler's Rise

Upon his return to Germany after World War I, Hanfstaengl became increasingly drawn to the burgeoning nationalist movement. He encountered Adolf Hitler in 1922 and was immediately captivated by the future dictator's oratorical power. Hanfstaengl, often known by his eccentric nickname "Putzi," became one of Hitler's earliest and most significant financial backers, providing crucial funds for the struggling Nazi Party. He reportedly helped finance the publication of the Nazi newspaper, the Völkischer Beobachter, and even composed marches and songs for the party, including an arrangement of "The Horst Wessel Song." His grand piano was frequently used for private recitals where Hitler would relax and unwind. After the failed Beer Hall Putsch in November 1923, Hanfstaengl sheltered a fugitive Hitler at his home in Uffing, near Munich, an act of loyalty that cemented their early bond. His fluent English and American connections made him a valuable asset, leading to his appointment as the Foreign Press Chief of the Nazi Party in 1931, a position he held until 1937. In this role, he was responsible for presenting the Nazi regime's image to the international media, often acting as a bridge (albeit a propagandistic one) between Hitler and foreign journalists.

Disillusionment and Dramatic Defection: An Escape from Nazi Germany

Despite his prominent position, Hanfstaengl's relationship with Hitler deteriorated over time. His increasingly independent views, his often blunt criticisms, and his intellectual background led to growing friction within the inner circle of paranoid Nazi ideologues. Hanfstaengl often found himself at odds with figures like Joseph Goebbels, the Minister of Propaganda, and Martin Bormann, Hitler's private secretary. By the mid-1930s, his position became untenable, fueled by suspicions from other Nazi leaders who resented his privileged access to Hitler and his unique background. Fearing for his life, particularly during the escalating purges and political infighting within the regime, Hanfstaengl orchestrated a dramatic escape from Germany in 1937, initially fleeing to Switzerland and then to the United Kingdom, before eventually making his way to the United States.

A Strategic Asset for the Allies: Working for Franklin D. Roosevelt

Upon arriving in the United States in 1942, Ernst Hanfstaengl was initially interned as an enemy alien due to his past associations with Hitler. However, his intimate knowledge of Hitler's personality, his psychological makeup, and the inner workings of the Nazi regime quickly marked him as a unique intelligence asset. He was released from internment and subsequently worked for President Franklin D. Roosevelt, serving as an advisor within the "S-Project" (also known as "Project 100") at Harvard University, an initiative focused on understanding the psychological profiles of Nazi leaders. Hanfstaengl provided invaluable insights into Hitler's temperament, his vulnerabilities, and those of his close associates, offering a rare insider's perspective on the enemy leadership. His contributions, including detailed analyses of Hitler's speaking style and psychological traits, were highly valued by the American intelligence community and proved instrumental in shaping Allied propaganda and strategic approaches during World War II.

A Glimpse into Personal Life: The Engagement to Djuna Barnes

Adding another intriguing layer to his complex biography, Ernst Hanfstaengl was once engaged to Djuna Barnes (1892–1982), a celebrated American modernist writer known for her experimental prose, poetry, and journalism. Barnes was a prominent figure in the bohemian literary circles of Greenwich Village and later Paris. Their engagement occurred in the early 1920s, a period before Hanfstaengl's deep entanglement with the Nazi Party. While the engagement ultimately did not lead to marriage, it highlights a lesser-known facet of Hanfstaengl's personal life and his connection to the vibrant artistic and intellectual movements of the time, standing in stark contrast to his later political affiliations.

Post-War Life and Enduring Historical Significance

After World War II, Hanfstaengl was repatriated to Germany in 1946 and later returned permanently in 1953. He published his memoirs, "Unheard Witness," in 1957, offering a controversial but fascinating first-hand account of his time with Hitler and the Nazi regime. He spent the remainder of his life largely out of the public eye, often providing interviews and commentaries on his experiences. Ernst Hanfstaengl's life serves as a compelling case study of a man caught between two worlds, whose early enthusiasm for a dangerous ideology transformed into an instrumental role in its eventual defeat, leaving behind a complex legacy that continues to intrigue historians.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ernst Hanfstaengl

Who was Ernst Hanfstaengl?

Ernst Hanfstaengl was a German-American businessman, art publisher, and Harvard graduate who became an early and close associate of Adolf Hitler, serving as his Foreign Press Chief for the Nazi Party. He later defected to the United States and advised President Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II.

What was Hanfstaengl's nickname?

He was widely known by his nickname, "Putzi," derived from a Bavarian diminutive of "little fellow" or "sweetheart."

How was Ernst Hanfstaengl connected to Adolf Hitler?

Hanfstaengl was one of Hitler's earliest financial supporters and confidants, providing funds, social connections, and even shelter after the Beer Hall Putsch. He later served as the Nazi Party's Foreign Press Chief, responsible for managing international media relations.

Why did Hanfstaengl fall out of favor with Hitler and defect?

His increasingly independent views, intellectual background, and occasional criticisms of Nazi policies led to friction with other party leaders like Goebbels and Bormann. Fearing for his safety amidst growing paranoia and purges within the regime, he fled Germany in 1937.

How did Hanfstaengl assist the United States during World War II?

After his defection, Hanfstaengl was recruited by President Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration as an intelligence asset. He provided crucial psychological insights and analyses of Adolf Hitler and other Nazi leaders, contributing to the "S-Project" which aimed to understand the enemy's psychology and vulnerabilities.

Was Ernst Hanfstaengl engaged to Djuna Barnes?

Yes, he was briefly engaged to the prominent American modernist author Djuna Barnes in the early 1920s, prior to his deep involvement with the Nazi Party.