Biographies

Heinrich Boere: SS member and convicted wartime killer Heinrich Boere Heinrich Boere (1921–2013) was a German–Dutch member of the Waffen‑SS convicted late in life for murders in the occupied Netherlands during WWII. He began a life sentence in 2011 a…

Heinrich Böll: German novelist, short-story writer and Nobel laureate Heinrich Böll Heinrich Böll (1917–1985) was a major German writer of the postwar era, noted for novels and stories that critiqued society and conscience; awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in…

Heinrich Brüning: Chancellor of the Weimar Republic and opponent of Nazism Heinrich Brüning Heinrich Brüning (1885–1970), Chancellor of the Weimar Republic (1930–1932), who pursued austerity during the Depression, opposed Nazism, went into U.S. exile and later taught poli…

Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa German Renaissance polymath (1486–1535) known for De occulta philosophia and influential writings on magic, natural philosophy, astrology and the interplay of classical, Christian…

Heinrich Heine: life, work and legacy of a 19th‑century German poet Heinrich Heine Overview of Heinrich Heine (1797–1856): biography, major works, themes, musical settings, exile in Paris, influence and later reception including censorship and legacy.

Heinrich Himmler: SS leader and architect of Nazi policing Heinrich Himmler German Nazi leader Heinrich Himmler (1900–1945) led the SS and much of the Nazi policing apparatus, central to the regime's racial policies and the administration of concentration…

Heinrich Louis d'Arrest Prussian-born astronomer (1822–1875) who assisted in the first observation of Neptune and made numerous discoveries of comets, nebulae and minor planets; later worked in Copenhagen…

Heinrich Rau (1899–1961) — German communist politician and East German statesman Heinrich Rau Heinrich Rau was a German communist leader who served in the Prussian Landtag, fought with the International Brigades, and chaired the German Economic Commission that preceded the…

Heinrich Reichert (1949–2019), Swiss developmental and neurobiologist Heinrich Reichert Heinrich Reichert was a Swiss developmental and neurobiologist who used Drosophila to reveal how neural stem cells follow a molecular program to produce diverse brain neurons; prof…

Heinrich Retschury: Austrian footballer, referee and national team caretaker Heinrich Retschury Brief biography of Heinrich Retschury (1887–1944), covering his playing career with First Vienna FC, international appearances, refereeing at the 1924 Olympics, and his caretaker r…

Heinrich Rohrer — Swiss physicist and co‑inventor of the scanning tunneling microscope Heinrich Rohrer Heinrich Rohrer (1933–2013) was a Swiss physicist who co‑developed the scanning tunneling microscope, a breakthrough instrument for imaging and manipulating surfaces at the atomic…

Heinrich Rudolf Hertz: Pioneer of Electromagnetic Waves Heinrich Rudolf Hertz German physicist Heinrich Rudolf Hertz (1857–1894) produced the first clear experimental demonstration of electromagnetic waves and influenced modern communications; the unit hertz…

Heinrich Rudolf Schinz: Swiss physician, naturalist and author (1777–1861) Heinrich Rudolf Schinz Concise biography of Heinrich Rudolf Schinz (1777–1861), Swiss physician and naturalist: education, academic and curatorial career in Zürich, major illustrated zoological works and…

Heinrich Schliemann: pioneer of Homeric archaeology Heinrich Schliemann German self‑made businessman and amateur archaeologist (1822–1890) who led excavations at Hissarlik (Troy) and Mycenae, using Homeric texts as a guide and sparking debate over meth…

Heinrich Schütz: German Baroque Master of Sacred Music Heinrich Schütz Heinrich Schütz (1585–1672) was a pivotal early Baroque German composer, renowned for his expressive sacred choral works, skillful counterpoint, and absorption of Italian innovatio…

Heinrich Sutermeister Heinrich Sutermeister (1910–1995) was a Swiss composer known for lyrical, stage‑oriented operas and for pioneering works for radio and television. A student of Carl Orff, he balanc…

Heinrich von Kleist (1777–1811) Heinrich von Kleist German writer Heinrich von Kleist (1777–1811) wrote intense dramas and novellas—including The Broken Jug and Michael Kohlhaas—exploring fate, honor, violence and moral uncertainty.

Heinrich Wilhelm Olbers German physician and astronomer (1758–1840) known for Olbers' paradox, discoveries of the asteroids Pallas and Vesta, studies of comets, and contributions to celestial mechanics.

Heinrich Windelen Heinrich Windelen (1921–2015) was a German CDU politician, long-serving Bundestag member and federal minister who worked on displaced persons and intra‑German relations.

Heinz Billing: German physicist and pioneer of early computers and interferometry Heinz Billing Heinz Billing (1914–2017) was a German physicist and computer scientist known for early computer construction, work on data storage, and a prototype laser interferometric gravitati…

Heinz F. Dressel — German Theologian and Writer on Human Rights and Latin America Heinz F. Dressel Heinz F. Dressel (1929–2017) was a German theologian and author who wrote extensively on human rights, Brazilian and Latin American history, and Christian thought. Born in Marktred…

Heinz Fischer Austrian statesman and former President (2004–2016), long-serving Social Democratic politician and parliamentary leader, known for a cautious, consensus-oriented approach to public…

Heinz Flohe Heinz Flohe (28 January 1948 – 15 June 2013) was a German footballer and midfielder, best known for his long club career in the Bundesliga and appearances for the West Germany nati…

Heinz Fütterer Heinz Fütterer (1931–2019) was a leading German sprinter of the 1950s who equalled the 100 m world record and won European titles and an Olympic bronze; a notable figure in postwar…

Heinz Gerstinger (1919–2016): Austrian writer, playwright and historian Heinz Gerstinger Concise overview of Heinz Gerstinger, Vienna-born Austrian writer, playwright and historian, his themes, genres, cultural context and legacy within 20th-century Austrian literature…

Heinz Höher — German football player and manager (1938–2019) Heinz Höher Overview of Heinz Höher, his playing career in Germany and the Netherlands, his managerial work in Germany and Greece, coaching style and legacy in post‑war European club football.

Heinz Kessler — East German general, SED leader, and convicted official Heinz Kessler Heinz Kessler (1920–2017) was an East German army general and SED Politburo member, Minister of Defense and later convicted for his role in the GDR's border policies; released in 1…

Heinz Kubsch Heinz Kubsch (1930–1993) was a German football goalkeeper who played domestically in post‑war Germany and made appearances for the West Germany national team.

Heinz Kwiatkowski — German football goalkeeper Heinz Kwiatkowski Heinz Kwiatkowski (16 July 1926 – 23 May 2008) was a German football goalkeeper who played club football in post‑war Germany and appeared for the West Germany national team.

Heinz Oberhummer Austrian theoretical physicist (1941–2015) known for research on nucleosynthesis, long service at the Vienna University of Technology, and active public science communication and s…

Heinz Riesenhuber — German politician and long-serving research minister Heinz Riesenhuber Profile of Heinz Riesenhuber (born 1935), CDU politician who led West German and German research policy as Federal Minister for Research and Technology from 1982 to 1993.

Heinz Schneiter: Swiss Defender, International Player and Coach (1935–2017) Heinz Schneiter Heinz Schneiter (1935–2017) was a Swiss international defender who earned 44 caps, scored three goals, played at the 1962 and 1966 World Cups, and later managed FC Thun and BSC You…

Heinz Sielmann: German wildlife filmmaker, photographer and naturalist Heinz Sielmann Heinz Sielmann (1917–2006) was a pioneering German wildlife photographer, zoologist and documentarian, known for his long-running TV series, award-winning films and a conservation…

Heinz Strehl — German footballer (1938–1986) Heinz Strehl Heinz Strehl (20 July 1938 – 11 August 1986) was a German footballer who played principally as a forward and represented the West Germany national team during the 1950s–1960s era.

Heinz Vollmar — German footballer who represented Saarland and West Germany Heinz Vollmar Heinz Vollmar (1936–1987) was a German footballer who played as an attacking player and represented both the Saarland and West Germany national teams during the post‑war period of…

Heinz Wewers — German football defender and Rot-Weiss Essen stalwart Heinz Wewers Biographical article on Heinz Wewers (1927–2008), a German footballer best known as a long-serving defender for Rot-Weiss Essen who also represented the West Germany national team.

Heinz Siegfried Wolff: British Biological Engineer and Science Broadcaster Heinz Wolff Profile of Heinz Siegfried Wolff, a German-born British biological engineer and Brunel University professor who popularized science on BBC TV and radio, best known for presenting T…

Heinz Zemanek: Austrian computer scientist and Mailüfterl pioneer Heinz Zemanek Heinz Zemanek (1920–2014), Austrian computer scientist who led the design of the Mailüfterl, Europe's first fully transistorised computer, and helped found computing education and…

Heitor Canalli Heitor Canalli (1910–1990) was a Brazilian midfield playmaker of the 1930s, noted for his intelligence, tackling and passing. He played for Botafogo and represented the Brazil nati…

Hélder Postiga Hélder Postiga (born 2 August 1982) is a Portuguese striker who rose at FC Porto, played abroad including Tottenham and Real Zaragoza, and was a regular member of Portugal's nation…

Helen Baxendale English actress Helen Baxendale (born 1970) is best known for her roles in the British series Cold Feet and as Emily, Ross's second wife, on the American sitcom Friends.

Helen Clark (New Zealand politician and international civil servant) Helen Clark Helen Clark (born 1950) was Prime Minister of New Zealand (1999–2008) and later Administrator of the UN Development Programme (2009–2017). She is known for social policy, developme…

Helen DeVos (1927–2017) Helen DeVos American philanthropist and community leader from Grand Rapids; wife of businessman Richard DeVos; long-time supporter of education, health care and the arts; prominent donor and b…

Helen Dunmore — British poet, novelist and children's author Helen Dunmore Concise biography and literary overview of Helen Dunmore (1952–2017), covering her works, themes, awards and legacy, including Zennor in Darkness and her final novel Birdcage Walk.

Helen Fielding British novelist and screenwriter Helen Fielding created Bridget Jones, author of Bridget Jones's Diary and sequels; her books sold millions worldwide and inspired a successful fil…

Helen Freedhoff — Canadian theoretical physicist (1940–2017) Helen Freedhoff Canadian theoretical physicist who studied light–atom interactions, an early woman physics professor at York University, researcher and teacher whose career and mentorship influenc…

Helen Gurley Brown American author, publisher and editor who led Cosmopolitan for 32 years and reshaped popular conversation about sex, careers and lifestyle for modern women.

Helen Hardacre — American Japanologist and scholar of Japanese religion Helen Hardacre Helen Hardacre (born 1949) is an American scholar of Japanese religion and society, Reischauer Professor at Harvard, known for research on Shinto, new religions, and religion–state…