born Sept. 20, 1875, Buttenhausen, Württemberg, Ger.
died Aug. 26, 1921, Black Forest, Baden
German politician.
Elected to the Reichstag in 1903, he became the leader of the left wing of the Centre Party . During World War I he was involved in the Reichstag resolution proposing a negotiated peace with no territorial gains. He headed the German delegation that signed the Armistice, and he advocated acceptance of the Treaty of Versailles. In 1919–20 he served as vice-chancellor and finance minister. As a supporter of the republican-democratic system, he became the victim of a slander campaign from the extreme right. He resigned his ministry and was later assassinated by nationalist partisans.