born March 19, 1905, Mannheim, Baden, Ger.
died Sept. 1, 1981, London, Eng.
German Nazi official.
He became an architect in 1927 and an active member of the Nazi Party in 1931. He impressed Adolf Hitler with his efficiency and talent and was appointed chief architect of the Third Reich in 1933. He designed the parade grounds and banners of the Nazi rallies held for the party congresses, including the 1934 Nürnberg Rally (see Nürnberg Rallies ) filmed by Leni Riefenstahl . In 1942 he became minister for armaments and war production and expanded the system of conscript and slave labour that maintained Germany's wartime productivity. Speer confessed his guilt at the Nürnberg trials , and he served 20 years in prison. His published works include Inside the Third Reich (1969) and Spandau (1975).