Hans Matthöfer

Hans Hermann Matthöfer (* September 25, 1925 in Bochum) is a German politician of the Social Democratic Party of Germany.

Between 1974 and 1978 Matthöfer was secretary of education as well as secretary of research and technology. In 1978 he took over the position as secretary of finance, followed 1982 by secretary of telecommunication. After his party lost power in 1982 he gave up all positions in the German government.

Biography

After apprenticeship in commercial science Matthöfer participated as a soldier in the Second World War between 1943 and 1945. In 1946 he passed his examination as an interpreter for the English language. Three years later Matthöfer studied successfully economics and social science at the University of Frankfurt/Main as well as Madison, Wisconsin. In 1953 he received his bachelor of economics.

After his return to Germany Matthöfer began work in the department of economics for the workers union IG Metall, followed by 4 years at the Organization for European Economic Cooperation in Washington, D.C. and Paris. After his return to Germany he again worked for the IG Metall and developed a program for the education in companies as well as tariff policy. Between 1987 and 1997 he was president of the BGAG, an investment company owned by the workers union.

Matthöfer joined the Social Democratic party of Germany in 1950. Between 1973 and 1984 he belonged to the party executives, followed by a position as its treasurer between 1985 and 1987.

Literature

* Helmut Schmidt; Walter Hesselbach (Hrsg.): "Kämpfer ohne Pathos: Festschrift für Hans Matthöfer". Bonn 1985.