Dinter, Artur

Biographical Note

• 1876, June 27: Born, Mühlhausen, Elsass (Mulhouse, Alsace)
• 1895 - 1896 : Serves in German Army, 130th Infantry Regiment, Saargemünd, Lothringen (Lorraine)
• 1896: Begins university studies in Munich
• 1899: Obtains degree in natural sciences, University of Strasbourg
• 1903: Doctor of science (chemistry, physics, geology), University of Strasbourg Director of botanical school garden, Strasbourg
• 1904?: Returns to Strasbourg, appointed director of theatre in Tann, Elsass (Alsace)
• 1904: Establishes a chemistry laboratory at a German school in Constantinople
• 1906: Director and dramaturge, municipal theater of Rostock
• 1907: Appointed director in Schillertheater, Berlin
• 1908: With Max Dreyer and Heinrich Lilienfein, founds the Verband Deutscher Bühnenschriftsteller und Komponisten, and directs its publishing house until 1914
• 1914?: Removed from various theatrical posts after giving an anti-Semitic speech during a circus performance
• 1914: As a senior lieutenant in the reserves, is mobilized into active service with the 136th Infantry Regiment at the outbreak of war, and shortly thereafter is wounded in France
• 1917: After contracting cholera while serving in Russia, is discharged from the armed forces
• 1917 - 1918 : Settles in Gräfenroda, Thüringen, begins writing, and makes anti-Semitic speeches throughout Germany
• 1917: Publishes Die Sünde Wider das Blut
• 1920: Publishes Die Sünde Wider den Geist
• 1922: Publishes Die Sünde Wider die Liebe
• 1923: Has an audience in Munich with Adolf Hitler, and pledges his loyalty to Hitler and his cause
• 1924: Elected to the provincial parliament (Landtag) of Thüringen, and works to lift ban on the Nazi party
• 1925: Upon reorganization of Nazi party (NSDAP), Hitler appoints Dinter as Gauleiter of Thüringen
• 1927: Resigns from parliament and at his request, Hitler removes from him the duties of Gauleiter, so that he can dedicate himself to religious activities. Founds Geistchristliche Religionsgemeinschaft in Nürnberg
• 1928: Expelled from Nazi Party after publishing an article on religion and National Socialism in "Geisteschristentum," the publication of his organization
• 1931 - 1933 : Actively seeks reinstatement in the Nazi Party, and offers his services to Hitler after latter comes to power in 1933, but is rebuffed
• 1933: Changes name of his organization to the "Deutsche Volkskirche, e.V.," and situates headquarters in Bad Homburg
• 1937: The Deutsche Volkskirche is banned, Dinter moves to Zell am Harmersbach (Baden)
• 1939 - 1940 : Fights attempts by government (?) to confiscate the Wartburghaus, the headquarters of the Deutsche Volkskirche in Bad Homburg
• 1941 - 1942 : Asks Winifred Wagner to appeal directly to Hitler for Dinter's reinstatement into Nazi party and for removal of ban on Deutsche Volkskirche
• 1948, June 21: Died, Offenburg (Baden)

From the guide to the Artur Dinter papers, 1895-1948, (Hoover Institution Archives)