born June 19, 1865, Hannover, Hannover
died March 12, 1951, Kükenbruch, W.Ger.
German industrialist and political leader.
As chairman of the Krupp family 's industrial concern (190918), he built a huge newspaper and film empire and greatly influenced German public opinion during the Weimar Republic . As head of the conservative German National People's Party (from 1928), he contributed to Adolf Hitler 's rise to power. In 1931 he formed an alliance of nationalist and conservative elements to topple the Weimar government; though his effort failed, large contributions from German industrialists aided the Nazi Party 's growth. In 1933 he briefly served in Hitler's cabinet, but his party was dissolved that same year.