Nick Heath
British anarchist-communist and thorough documenter of the international anarchist movement.
Werner, Wilhelm (1859-1939) aka The Elephant
A short biography of Wilhelm Werner, one of the pioneers of German anarchism.
[i]“His courage was legendary. In the intimate circle of his friends, he was called “ the Elephant ”, because he did not fear to turn up, with a few comrades, in the most remote corners of the vicinity of Berlin to disrupt anti-semite meetings and attempt to open the eyes of the audience. This type of activity was not without risk.
Federn, Marietta aka Etta 1883- 1951
A short biography of Etta Federn, German litterateur, anarchist and educationalist
Etta Federn was born in 1883 in Vienna, the youngest daughter of an assimilated Jewish family. She was the daughter of the suffragette Ernestine Federn and the doctor Salomon Federn and the sister of Paul, who became an analyst, Karl, who became a lawyer and writer, and Walter who became a journalist. She had an education on an equal footing with her brothers.
Nowak, Franz (1983-1945) aka Zigeuner (Gypsy)
A short biography of Franz Nowak, German anarchist murdered by the Nazis
Franz Nowak was born on the 30th August 1983 in Kravarn in Upper Silesia. He worked as a bricklayer foreman in the summer on building sites throughout the area. From 1907 he was under surveillance from the political police as an anarchist. He was arrested several times, including during the Kaiser’s visits to Breslau (now Wroclaw) in 1909 and 1910.
Czakon, Paul (1896-1952) aka Max aka Maximo Mas
A short biography of Paul Czakon, anarchist active in Upper Silesia who fought in Spain.
Paul Czakon was born on 14th July 1897 in Neider-Heiduk. He worked as a miner and fitter. Czakon was chairman of the FAUD in Beuthen (now Bytom) in Upper Silesia from 1921 and in 1930 he was one of the founders of the the Schwarzen Scharen (Black Crowds) in the region. In a house search in May 1932 the police discovered the weapons and explosives cache of the group.
Huppertz, Willy 1904-1978
A short biography of Willy Huppertz, who kept alive the flame of German anarchism.
Wilhelm Huppertz was born in 1904 in the Ruhr. He worked as a fitter. He moved from being a Christian socialist to a position of atheism. In the mid-1920s he contacted both the FAUD and the AAUE, and worked with them.
Roche, Karl (1862-1931) aka KR aka Isegrim aka Diogenes
A short biography of Karl Roche, leading light within the revolutionary German workers movement.
Karl Roche was born in on 31st October 1862 in Koenigsberg (now the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad) in Prussia as Johann Friedrich Carl Roche.
Schreyer, Paul Albert aka Luigi 1887-1918
A short biography of Paul Schreyer, German anarchist who opposed the First World War
Paul Schreyer was born on 21st September 1887 in Zahna, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. A member of the Hamburg Anarchist Federation, he was editor of its weekly paper Kampf (1912-1914).
Schneider, Ernst Wilhelm 1883-1946??1970??) Aka Ikarus, Icarus
A short biography of the German revolutionary seaman Ernst Schneider
Born in Königsberg in Prussia (now the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad) on 23rd July 1883 Ernst Schneider was a harbour worker and seaman (steersman).
Benner, Fritz (1906-1966)
A short biography of Fritz Benner, courageous German anarchist.
Fritz Benner was born on 6th April 1906 in Solingen, Germany. By profession he was a belt operator. In 1927/28 he and his brother Willi joined the anarchosyndicalist Free Workers' Union of Germany (FAUD) in Wuppertal. His brother Eugen (usually known as August) also became involved. At this time the FAUD was past its height and only counted a few dozen members in Wuppertal.
Lagant, Christian 1926- 1978 aka Christian Lag aka Christian Lague
A short biography of Christian Lagant, French anarchist militant and one of chief editors of Noir et Rouge
”An exemplary comrade….intransigent militant..demanding but warm, sensitive but a passionate political debater” André Bernard
