German Famous Names Starting with Letter W

Was a German astronomer, father of the pacifist and ethicist Friedrich Wilhelm Foerster. His name ca

Was a German astronomer, father of the pacifist and ethicist Friedrich Wilhelm Foerster. His name can also be written Förster, but is usually written "Foerster" even in most German sources where 'ö' is otherwise used in the text.A native of Grünberg, Silesia, he worked as Johann Franz Encke's assistant. After Encke's death in 1865, he became director of the Berlin Observatory until 1903.He co-discovered asteroid 62 Erato with Oskar Lesser, the first co-discovery on record. The asteroid 6771 Foerster is named after him, and so is the Wilhelm Foerster Sternwarte (William Foerster Observatory; IAU code 544).

Was a German organist and composer in the North German organ tradition. Much of Karges' life was spe

Was a German organist and composer in the North German organ tradition. Much of Karges' life was spent in and around Berlin, where he was born, worked, and died. Karges came into contact with Sweelinck student Andreas Düben through his travels in North Germany and the Low Countries, and became his assistant at the German Church in Stockholm. In January 1646 he was appointed chamber musician and composer at the court of the Elector Friedrich Wilhelm of Brandenburg in Berlin, and subsequently became organist at the cathedral there. His eyesight gradually deteriorated, and by the 1680s he had several assistants and had been relieved of many of his responsibilities. Still, his organ playing was apparently still of such high quality that in 1683 his salary was nearly doubled. Six of Karges' pieces are known to have survived, all for organ.

German field marshal (Generalfeldmarschall). As head of the High Command of the Armed Forces, he was

German field marshal (Generalfeldmarschall). As head of the High Command of the Armed Forces, he was one of Germany's most senior military leaders during World War II. At Nuremberg he was tried, sentenced to death and hanged as a major war criminal.

Is composer of classical music and an academic. Killmayer received his basic musical training in Mun

Is composer of classical music and an academic. Killmayer received his basic musical training in Munich. His first activities as a professional musician were conducting and directing choirs. His first choral works were presented under his own direction, followed later by chamber music for voice and instruments. He was chosen in 1952 as a master student by Carl Orff, and, later in his career, concentrated on composing music for young people and for amateur groups. He received the Fromm Music Foundation Award in 1954. Invited by Walter Fink, he was the fourth composer featured in the annual Komponistenporträt of the Rheingau Musik Festival in 1994.

Was an Austrian football manager and former football player.He coached VVV-Venlo, Norway, Feyenoord,

Was an Austrian football manager and former football player.He coached VVV-Venlo, Norway, Feyenoord, LASK Linz and Fredrikstad.

Was a pioneer in aviations and constructor of aircraft.Kress came to Vienna in 1873, where he develo

Was a pioneer in aviations and constructor of aircraft.Kress came to Vienna in 1873, where he developed the first modern delta-flying hang glider in 1877. This hang-glider was a major achievement for the time, where many engineers still struggled with "heavier than air"-developments of non-motorised airvehicles.During the turn of the century he was one of the world-wide contestors for break-through motor aircraft. In 1900 he developed the stick control for aircraft but did not apply for a patent. (Instead, a patent was awarded to the French aviator, Robert Esnault-Pelterie who applied for it in 1907.) Kress' aircraft, the Drachenflieger, was constructed for water takeoff and made a first successful attempt (it was not a controlled flight like the one of the Wright brothers in 1903, but more or less larger 'hops') in 1901 at the Wienerwaldsee near Vienna

Nicknamed "Willy" or "Willi", is a former Austrian footballer.During his club career he played for A

Nicknamed "Willy" or "Willi", is a former Austrian footballer.During his club career he played for Admira Energie (1966-1972), Sparta Rotterdam (1972-1974), Feyenoord Rotterdam (1974-1978), and SK VÖEST Linz (1978-1982).

Was a German pianist, pianoforte player and teacher, composer and administrator born in the city of

Was a German pianist, pianoforte player and teacher, composer and administrator born in the city of Prague (modern-day Czech Republic), in the first half of the nineteenth-century. He exhibited a precocious taste for music, and at the age of four picked out Paganini's melodies on the pianoforte from memory.[1] He was taught music by Václav Tomášek, having Erwin Schulhoff as a fellow student. He lived in Upper Austria in 1843-44, studying music and preparing for a concert tour with great success in 1844 at Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Augsburg, Munich, and then at Stuttgart.

Was a German politician (DDP, LDPD). In 1926 he was interior minister of the Weimar Republic. After

Was a German politician (DDP, LDPD). In 1926 he was interior minister of the Weimar Republic. After 1945 he took actively part in establishing the LDPD. He founded the Berlin branch of LDPD in summer, 1945 and acted as the LDPD chairman after the initial

Was a celebrated German actor who provoked quite varied opinions. He was born to play heroic rolls,

Was a celebrated German actor who provoked quite varied opinions. He was born to play heroic rolls, but some thought, due to lack of study, or perhaps too much of the comedian's touch, Kunst did not do well in roles that required subtlety and excellence in acting. He did better in lower-rated versions of a particular plot, for example being suited to lesser translations of Shakespeare rather than first-rate ones; but in the plays he excelled at, for example Otto von Wittelsbach, he was quite stunning. He first played major roles in Lübeck and worked his way up to the Viennese stage. During his heyday, he did quite well economically, but ended his career in poverty. In 1825, he married the actress Sophie Schröder.

Was a German official at the Economics Ministry at the beginning of the 1930s. He is known primarily

Was a German official at the Economics Ministry at the beginning of the 1930s. He is known primarily for the so-called Lautenbach Plan[1] which was a proposal for Germany to default on foreign debts and implement a plan of domestic non debt-financed publi

Was a German sculptor.Born in Duisburg, he studied sculpture arts at the academy of arts in Düsseld

Was a German sculptor.Born in Duisburg, he studied sculpture arts at the academy of arts in Düsseldorf and contributed to an exhibition at the Grand Palais in Paris. From 1910–1914 he lived in Paris, where he met Modigliani, Brancusi, and Archipenko.

Was a social-democratic politician who opposed the Third Reich.In 1910, he joined the Social Democra

Was a social-democratic politician who opposed the Third Reich.In 1910, he joined the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) and became more deeply involved with the union. He also wed Elisabeth Batz in 1911.

Was an eminent German statistician, economist, and social scientist and a founder of the interdiscip

Was an eminent German statistician, economist, and social scientist and a founder of the interdisciplinary study of insurance.He then worked as a Gymnasium teacher, librarian, and journalist, until in 1872 he became, until 1874, extraordinary professor at

German social democrat, one of the founders of the SPD and father of Karl Liebknecht and Theodor Lie

German social democrat, one of the founders of the SPD and father of Karl Liebknecht and Theodor Liebknecht.

Was a German Olympic fencer. He competed at the 1912 and 1928.

Was a German Olympic fencer. He competed at the 1912 and 1928.

Was a German Orientalist, in the fields of Indian and Iranian languages. He was known as a specialis

Was a German Orientalist, in the fields of Indian and Iranian languages. He was known as a specialist in Pali, Sinhala language and the Dhivehi language of the Maldives.

Was a German rower who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics. In 1936 he won the bronze medal as coxs

Was a German rower who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics. In 1936 he won the bronze medal as coxswain of the German boat in the eights competition.

Was a German agitator and publicist, who coined the term "antisemitism" (1879). In 1843 Marr was exp

Was a German agitator and publicist, who coined the term "antisemitism" (1879). In 1843 Marr was expelled from Zurich under the accusation that he had furthered communist activities. He turned to Lausanne, where he joined Hermann Döleke and Julius Standau

German medical doctor, psychologist, physiologist, and professor who is, along with William James, r

German medical doctor, psychologist, physiologist, and professor who is, along with William James, regarded as the father of psychology

Was a German organist and composer who resided in America for most of his career. Middelschulte init

Was a German organist and composer who resided in America for most of his career. Middelschulte initially studied organ with August Knabe. He later attended the Royal Academic Institute for Church Music, where he studied organ and theory with August Haupt. After briefly holding a position at the Royal Institute and acquiring a post at the Lukaskirche in Berlin, he moved to Chicago in 1891. In 1893, he gave three performances entirely from memory at the Columbian Exposition. From 1896 - 1918 he was organist for what would later become the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Was an Austrian politician who served as the third President of Austria from 1928 until its annexati

Was an Austrian politician who served as the third President of Austria from 1928 until its annexation by Nazi Germany in the Anschluss 1938.From 1923 to 1928 he was President of the National Council of Austria.On 10 December 1928 he was elected the President of Austria, a role he served in until the position ceased to exist ten years later when Austria was annexed by Germany in the Anschluss.In 1930 Miklas appeared on a set of Austrian postage stamps. In 1936 he entertained Miklós Horthy at Lake Wörth.

Was a German naturalist.He wrote Zoologische Beiträge gesammelt im Winter 1859/60 in Neapel und Mes

Was a German naturalist.He wrote Zoologische Beiträge gesammelt im Winter 1859/60 in Neapel und Messina... in 1861 at Leipzig.

Was a German field handball player who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics.

Was a German field handball player who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics.

Was a German chemist who introduced the hydrogenation of fats in 1901, creating what later became kn

Was a German chemist who introduced the hydrogenation of fats in 1901, creating what later became known as trans fats. This invention, protected by German patent 141,029 in 1902, had a profound influence on the production of margarine and vegetable shortening.