Albert Speer
Berthold Konrad Hermann Albert Speer (19 March 1905 in Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg Germany – 1 September 1981 in London, England) was a leading German architect in the Third Reich. Speer was born on 19 March 1905 in Mannheim, Baden, Germany. He joined the Nazi Party in 1931 and was Adolf Hitler's chief architect before he became the minister for munitions and armaments in 1942, replacing Fritz Todt in the Cabinet.
After World War II he was convicted of slavery and spent 20 years in prison. After being released he wrote two autobiographical books. He portrayed himself as a well educated and apolitical architect who regretted failing to know the bad things Hitler and the Nazis were doing.
Speer died of a stroke in 1 September 1981 in London. His son, Albert Speer Jr. was also an architect.
Albert Speer Media
- Bundesarchiv Bild 183-V00555-3, Obersalzberg, Albert Speer, Adolf Hitler.jpg
Speer shows Hitler a project at Obersalzberg.
- Bundesarchiv Bild 183-1982-1130-502, Nürnberg, Reichsparteitag, Lichtdom.jpg
The Cathedral of Light above the Zeppelintribune
- Welthauptstadt germania 11.jpg
Model of the Große Halle (also called Ruhmeshalle or Volkshalle) with the Reichstag building and the Brandenburg Gate
- Bundesarchiv Bild 146III-373, Modell der Neugestaltung Berlins ("Germania").jpg
The Volkshalle's Great Dome can be seen at the top of this model of Hitler's plan for Berlin.
- Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1968-036-22, Albert Speer in Lissabon.jpg
Albert Speer at an exhibition in Lisbon in 1942 with the President of Portugal, Óscar Carmona, second from left
Speer (wearing Organisation Todt armband) and Heer general Eduard Dietl at Rovaniemi Airport in Finland, December 1943
- Bundesarchiv Bild 183-H28426, A. Speer, E. Milch, W. Messerschmitt.jpg
Speer with Luftwaffe field marshal Erhard Milch and aircraft designer Willy Messerschmitt, May 1944
- Hitler at the Adlerhorst, January 1945 with (l-r) Albert Speer, Colonel-General Alfred Jodl, Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel and Joachim von Ribbentrop.jpg
Minister of Foreign Affairs Joachim von Ribbentrop, Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel and Generaloberst Alfred Jodl and Minister of Armaments Albert Speer brought New Year's greetings "to the Führer" on January 1, 1945.
- Nazi Personalities BU6713.jpg
Speer (left), Karl Dönitz and Alfred Jodl (right) after their arrest by the British Army in Flensburg in Northern Germany in May 1945