born April 30, 1893, Wesel, Ger.
died Oct. 16, 1946, Nürnberg
German diplomat and foreign minister under the Nazi regime.
After serving in World War I, he became a wine merchant. He met Adolf Hitler in 1932 and became his chief adviser on foreign affairs. He negotiated the Anglo-German Naval Agreement and served as ambassador to Britain (193638), advising Hitler that Britain could not aid Poland effectively. As foreign minister (193845), he negotiated the Pact of Steel with Italy, the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact , and the Tripartite Pact with Japan and Italy. His influence waned in World War II, after which he was found guilty at the Nürnberg trials and hanged.