Oppler, Alfred C. (Alfred Christian), 1893-1982

Biographical note: German emigre jurist and administrator.

He was born in Thionville, Alsace-Lorraine and studied law and political science ast the universities of Munich, Freiburg, Berlin, and Strasslburg. His German career included service in the Prussian Ministry of Finances at Berlin, 1923-27; and as a associate justice of the Prussian Supreme Administrative Court and vice president of the Prussian Supreme Disciplinary Court, 1931-35. Oppler immigrated to the United States in 1939 and became a resident consultant at the Littauer School of Public Administration and was an instructor at Harvard University, 1940-44. He worked in the U.S. Foreign Economic Administration, 1944-46.

As chief of the Courts and law Division, Government Section and later the Legal Section, General Headquarters, Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP) under Gen. Douglas MacArthur from 1946 to 1952, Alfred C. Oppler was in charge of assisting in Japanese legal and judicial reforms to implement the post-war constitution during the Allied Occupation. He retired to Princeton, New Jersey, and wrote and lectured on the Allied Occupation of Japan and other subjects.

From the description of Alfred C. Oppler papers, 1908-1982. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122514624