Walther Rathenau

Born in Berlin in 1867, Walther Rathenau was the son of the industrialist Emil Rathenau, founder of AEG. He studied science and philosophy, worked in industry, and became known not only as a successful businessman but also as a thoughtful essayist who wrote about politics, society, and modern life.

During and after the First World War, he moved deeper into public service. He played an important role in organizing Germany’s wartime economy and later served the Weimar Republic as minister of reconstruction and then foreign minister. He is especially remembered for helping negotiate the 1922 Treaty of Rapallo between Germany and Soviet Russia.

Rathenau’s career made him one of the most prominent figures in postwar Germany, but it also placed him in the path of violent nationalist hatred. In June 1922, he was assassinated by right-wing extremists. His death shocked the young republic, and he has remained a powerful symbol of democratic politics, intellect, and public service in a deeply unsettled age.