MS 334 Papers of Dr Gerhard Kaufmann

Dr Gerhard Kaufmann

Dr Gerhard Hans Kaufmann was born in July 1911 at Wüttenberg, Germany, to Dr Friedrich (Fritz) and Elisabeth Kaufmann. Kaufmann came to the UK as a refugee prior to the Second World War and stayed with Reginald Hinton and his family in Surrey on arrival. He volunteered for war work including as a fire-fighter for Woking Council, for the Leatherhead First Aid Service as a stretcher bearer and for the Home Guard. Kaufmann and members of his family were held in detention and internment camps prior to and during the Second World War including at Dachau; Onchan, Isle of Man; and Dixon’s Camp, Paignton, Devon. Following the war, Kaufmann worked as a translator and interpreter for the Counsel for War Crimes and at the Nuremberg Trials, 1946-8. He lived in London with his wife Charlotte née Kaspar and was employed by C.J.Parker and Sloan Solicitors, at the Language Tuition Centre and as a lecturer in German.

About the collection 

The collection, much of which is in German, contains biographical papers including typed copies of documents relating to Kaufmann’s life; personal papers including some relating to examinations and job interviews and official papers, background material - including an account of the detention of the Kaufman family at Dachau, Nov-Dec 1938; photographs and memorabilia concerning the Kaufmann family, 1897-1974. There is correspondence (many postcards), 1939-50, mostly between family members, including Gerhard Kaufmann, Friedrich/Fritz and Elisabeth Kaufmann, and Charlotte Kasper and her family.

There are notes, papers and printed material relating to Germany, 1925-59. The collection contains Kaufmann’s papers as a translator for the Nuremberg Military tribunals, 1945-8, including his diary, in German, and official papers. There are photographs and slides, 1939-47, of German cities.

Date range:

1897-1974 

Former references:

A2044

Size:

5 boxes