Univ.-Prof. Dr. Hermann Mathias Görgen

After the Matura at the Gymnasium in Saarlouis, Hermann Mathias Görgen studies theology, philosophy, pedagogy, history and church law at the Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität in Bonn, where he began his PhD in 1933 with the dissertation “Contributions to the history of the Ethical movement and its importance for the development of the philosophical and educational views of Friedrich Wilhelm Förster until 1904.

From 1933 to 1935 he is first assistant at Friedrich Wilhelm Förster in Bonn. Already in this time, he is journalistically active in the Catholic opposition. In 1935 he flees from the National Socialists to Austria and becomes assistant to the Research Institute for German Spiritual History in Salzburg until 1938. He catalogues the estate of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. His alleged appointment to the ordinary professor at the Faculty of Philosophy at the founding Catholic University of Salzburg was controversial.

Immediately after Austria, Hermann Mathias Görgen flees to Czechoslovakia and from there to Switzerland. With the support of the Vatican, he organizes the escape of emigrants to Brazil and in 1941 he emigrates himself where he continues his teaching.

After 1950 he returns to Germany, becomes Director General of Saarland Radio and member of the German Bundestag from 1957 to 1961.