Origins & Early Life

Ernst Kaltenbrunner (4 October 1903 – 16 October 1946) was an Austrian lawyer, high-ranking SS official during the Nazi era, major perpetrator of the Holocaust, and convicted war criminal. After the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich in 1942, and a brief period under Heinrich Himmler, Kaltenbrunner was named the third director of the Reich Security Main Office (RSHA), which included the offices of Gestapo, Kripo and SD, serving from January 1943 until the end of World War II in Europe. He was also the president of Interpol during the same time period. Kaltenbrunner obtained a doctorate in law from the University of Graz in 1926.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He joined the Nazi Party in 1930 and the SS in 1931, and by 1935 he was considered a leader of the Austrian SS. In 1938, he assisted in the Anschluss and was given command of the SS and police force in Austria. In January 1943, Kaltenbrunner was appointed chief of the RSHA, succeeding Reinhard Heydrich, who had been assassinated in June 1942. A committed antisemite, Kaltenbrunner played a pivotal role in orchestrating the Holocaust, which intensified under his leadership. He oversaw the coordination of security and law enforcement agencies involved in widespread...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alan Paton — Contemporary (Born in 1903) (1903): Pioneering South African author and fierce anti-apartheid activist.
• Anaïs Nin — Contemporary (Born in 1903) (1903): Pioneering diarist and author whose intimate writings explored sexuality and the subconscious.
• Andrey Kolmogorov — Contemporary (Born in 1903) (1903): Pioneering Soviet mathematician central to modern probability, topology, and information theory.
• Adam Michnik — Contemporary (Born in 1946) (1946): Prominent Polish intellectual, dissident, and journalist advocating for democracy.
• Al Green — Contemporary (Born in 1946) (1946): Iconic American soul singer, songwriter, and pastor celebrated for his timeless vocal artistry.
• Alan Rickman — Contemporary (Born in 1946) (1946): Iconic English actor celebrated for his distinctive voice and powerful stage presence.
• Alexandros Papagos — Shared historical date (10-04 · Died) (1955): Greek military leader and politician who served as Prime Minister of Greece (1952-1955).
• Alicia Silverstone — Shared historical date (10-04 · Born) (1976): American actress known for 'Clueless' and her vegan activism.
• Ahmad Shah Durrani — Shared historical date (10-16 · Died) (1772): Founder of the Durrani Empire and modern Afghanistan's first ruler.
• Andreas Vesalius — Shared historical date (10-16 · Died) (1564): Founder of modern human anatomy, revolutionized medical science with detailed publications.
• 1903 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1903
• October 4 (10-04) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on October 4
• 1946 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1946
• October 16 (10-16) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on October 16