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 the Jewish family. His father changed his surname 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's brother Otto and he ran the 'Otto and Robert Korff Hat Factory' at Mariahilfer Straße 65 in Vienna's 6th district. The property in which the hat factory in Mariahilfer Straße is housed also belongs to the two brothers. They are unlikely to have been politically active.

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

The hat factory 'Otto und Robert Korff Hutfabrik' and the entire building are aryanized by Hans Lieleg and the hat factory is renamed 'Hutmodellhaus Lieleg'. Robert Korff flees to São Paulo in Brazil on October 13, 1939 (day of de-registration). His brother Otto Korff also settles there. Robert Korff is also active as a businessman in São Paulo and subsequently takes on Brazilian citizenship.