Robert Korff (geb. Kohn)

Robert Kohn was born in Vienna as the legitimate son of Ignaz Kohn and his wife Ida, née Pollak. Robert Kohn had five other siblings in this Jewish family. His father changed his last name—and that of the entire family—from “Kohn” to “Korff.” Nothing is known about Robert Korff’s childhood and youth.

In the 1930s, Robert Korff and his brother Otto operated the “Otto and Robert Korff Hat Factory” at Mariahilfer Straße 65 in Vienna’s 6th district. The property housing the hat factory on Mariahilfer Straße also belonged to the two brothers. They are not believed to have been politically active.

On March 12, 1938, Robert Korff witnessed the downfall of free and independent Austria with the invasion of the German Wehrmacht. With the occupation of Austria, German legislation was adopted, including the “Nuremberg Race Laws,” under which Robert Korff was classified as a “full Jew.” On March 15, 1938, he was arrested by the Gestapo and deported to the Dachau concentration camp on April 2, 1938, as part of the so-called “Prominententransport.” From there, he was transferred to the Buchenwald concentration camp on September 22, 1938, and released on July 18, 1939, on the condition that he leave occupied Austria as soon as possible.

The hat factory “Otto and Robert Korff Hat Factory” and the entire building were “Aryanized” by Hans Lieleg, and the hat factory was renamed “Hutmodellhaus Lieleg.” Robert Korff fled to São Paulo, Brazil, on October 13, 1939 (the day he deregistered). His brother Otto Korff also settled there. Robert Korff was active as a merchant in São Paulo as well and subsequently became a Brazilian citizen.

In São Paulo, Robert Korff witnessed the liberation of Austria and the restoration of the Republic in April and May 1945, respectively. However, he decided not to return to his homeland but remained in São Paulo, where he eventually died at the age of 71.