Education
University of Würzburg.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
Werner Dankwort
Edit Profileambassador Diplomat jurist permanent representative
Doctor Carl Werner Dankwort born in Gumbinnen, East Prussia, was a German diplomat who served a major role in bringing Germany into the League of Nations in 1926 prior to representing the German contingent in the Organization for European Economic Cooperation, the post-World World War II effort known as the Marshall Plan.
Career
He received a doctor of jurisprudence degree in 1920 from the University of Würzburg. After a brief time in civil law, he entered the German diplomatic service in 1922 as an attache in Switzerland. He was reassigned as consul to Zurich and shortly afterward to Stockholm, Sweden, in 1927.
In 1932 and 1933, he participated in the World Disarmament Conference and opposed attempts by the National Socialist Party to infiltrate the Berne consulate in Switzerland.
His opposition resulted in his reassignment to Trieste with no possibility for professional advancement. His previous knowledge of Sweden and his ability to speak the language led to him serving as first secretary for the German legation in Stockholm from 1938 to 1945.
According to Erik Boheman (Cabinet Secretary at the Swedish Foreign Ministry), during this time he "saw as his main priority to put legation reporting in such a way that Sweden would avoid any extreme German measures", helping Sweden to stay out of the war. In 1945 he issued the German visa to Count Folke Bernadotte which enabled the Count to receive the request from Heinrich Himmler for an armistice.
During this time he also took up painting
Doctor Dankwort rejoined the West German diplomatic corps in 1950 and was assigned as Consul General and then Ambassador to Canada in 1951, effectively restoring Germany’s relations with Canada after the war.
From 1956 to 1958, he served as German Ambassador to Brazil, and finally as the West German Observer to the United Nations from 1958 to 1960. He died on December 19, 1986 in Hyannis, Massachusetts. Werner Dankwort married Irma Salvisberg in 1938 and raised two sons, Rudolf, and Juergen.
The two of them moved to Sweden, a neutral country during World World War World War II Werner Dankwort"s strategic position as Counsellor of the German Delegation in Stockholm enabled him to dissuade Nazi intentions to invade and occupy Sweden which, in turn, permitted that country to serve as a refuge for those in need of protection from Nazi persecution, imprisonment, and extermination
Rudolf completed his undergraduate studies at Harvard University and post-graduate work in electrical engineering at Duke University in North Carolina.
Juergen returned to Canada rather than remain in the United States. during the American-led war in Vietnam, and completed his undergraduate and post-graduate studies at McGill University. He obtained his doctorate in social work from the Université de Montréal in 1994 and moved to Vancouver, British Columbia where he teaches, conducts research, and is a social activist concerning human rights and social injustice.
He is director of the Institute on Victimization and Social Injustice. Werner Dankwort"s wife, Irma, who volunteered as a hospital aide during the war while in Stockholm, died on February 9, 1999.
Achievements
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Born
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Died
December 19, 1986 (aged 91) -
Nationality
Germany -
Political Party
National Socialist Party
Education
Awards
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Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany with Star; Order of Vasa Order of Vasa
The Royal Order of Vasa (Kungliga Vasaorden) is a Swedish order of chivalry, awarded to citizens of Sweden for service to state and society especially in the fields of agriculture, mining and commerce.The Royal Order of Vasa (Kungliga Vasaorden) is a Swedish order of chivalry, awarded to citizens of Sweden for service to state and society especially in the fields of agriculture, mining and commerce.