Hans Frank | |
|---|---|
 Frank in 1939 | |
| Governor-General of the General Government | |
| In office 26 October 1939 – 19 January 1945 | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Reichsminister without portfolio | |
| In office 19 December 1934 – 30 April 1945 | |
| Chancellor | Adolf Hitler |
| President of the Academy for German Law | |
| In office 2 October 1933 – 20 August 1942 | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Otto Georg Thierack |
| Bavarian Minister of Justice | |
| In office 18 April 1933 – 4 December 1934 | |
| Preceded by | Heinrich Spangenberger |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Hans Michael Frank 23 May 1900 Karlsruhe, German Empire |
| Died | 16 October 1946 (aged 46) Nuremberg, Germany |
| Cause of death | Execution by hanging |
| Political party | Nazi Party |
| Other political affiliations | German Workers' Party (DAP) |
| Spouse |
Brigitte Herbst (m. 1925) |
| Children | 5, including Niklas |
| Alma mater | University of Munich University of Kiel |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | German Empire |
| Branch/service | Imperial German Army |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Criminal conviction | |
| Criminal status | Executed |
| Conviction(s) | War crimes Crimes against humanity |
| Trial | Nuremberg trials |
| Criminal penalty | Death |
| Details | |
Span of crimes | 8 October 1939 – 19 January 1945 |
| Target(s) | Polish civilians Polish Jews |
Hans Michael Frank (23 May 1900 – 16 October 1946) was a German politician, war criminal, and lawyer who served as head of the General Government in German-occupied Poland during the Second World War.
Frank was an early member of the German Workers' Party (DAP), the precursor of the Nazi Party (NSDAP). He took part in the failed Beer Hall Putsch, and later became Adolf Hitler's personal legal adviser as well as the lawyer of the NSDAP. In June 1933, he was named as a Reichsleiter (Reich Leader) of the party. In December 1934, Frank joined the Hitler Cabinet as a Reichsminister without portfolio.
After the German invasion of Poland in 1939, Frank was appointed Governor-General of the occupied Polish territories. During his tenure, he instituted a reign of terror against the civilian population and became directly involved in the mass murder of Jews.[1] He engaged in the use of forced labour and oversaw four of the extermination camps. Frank remained head of the General Government until its collapse in early 1945. During that time, over 4 million people were murdered under his jurisdiction.
After the war, Frank was found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity at the Nuremberg trials. He was sentenced to death and executed by hanging in October 1946.
- ^ "Holocaust Encyclopedia: Hans Frank". United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Retrieved 18 April 2016.