Helmuth James von Moltke 1907 - 1945
Helmuth James von Moltke , called to the Bar on 15 November 1938 by the Inner Temple. He was a pupil in John Foster's Chambers at 2 Hare Court and thought of practising here. However, he came to the conclusion that it was his duty to return to Nazi Germany. 5 years later he was imprisoned. On the orders of the Nazis his name was removed from those who were entitled to practise as lawyers in Germany. Thereafter he was tried for treason by a court, created by the Nazis, named the People's Court. International lawyer. He worked as a lawyer in Berlin. Letter to his wife: It is our duty to recognise what is obnoxious, to analyse it, and to rise above it in a synthesis which enables us to make use of it. Whoever looks the other way for lack of the ability to recognise it or of the strength to surmount what he has recognised, is indeed putting his head in the sand ……. the rage for detailed information leads to attaching excessive importance to detail and neglecting the equally important task of sublimating the facts and bringing them into proper perspective. If one chases after details one won't have the strength to prevail over them. It is certain that his strength is greater in a calm atmosphere than in a hectic one, and anyone able to spread this atmosphere of peace around himself is a live support and driving force in the right direction. Peace is not complacency. Whoever lets black be white, and evil good, for the sake of outward calm, does not deserve peace, and is putting his head in the sand. But whoever knows at all times the difference between good and evil, and does not doubt it, however great the triumph of evil seems to be, has laid the first stone for the overcoming of evil.
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| Born: Kreisau (Krzyzowa), , Prussia, Germany 1907 | Baptised:
| | Died: Ploetzensee Prison, Berlin-Ploetzensee, , , Germany 23rd Jan 1945 | Buried:
| | Family: von Moltke |
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