Wilhelm Niklas | |
|---|---|
| Minister of Food, Agriculture and Forestry | |
| In office 20 September 1949 – 20 October 1953 | |
| Prime Minister | Konrad Adenauer |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Heinrich Lübke |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 September 1887 Traunstein,German Empire |
| Died | 12 April 1957(1957-04-12) (aged 69) Munich,West Germany |
| Nationality | German |
| Political party |
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| Alma mater | Technical University of Munich |
Wilhelm Niklas (24 September 1887 – 12 April 1957) was a German academic and politician, who was the first minister of food, agriculture and forestry inKonrad Adenauer'sfirst cabinet.[1]
Niklas was born inTraunstein, southern Bavaria, on 24 September 1887.[2][3] He studied law and political science for two semesters and then he studied agriculture and veterinary medicine.[2][3] He graduated fromTechnical University of Munich with a degree in veterinary medicine.[3] In 1914, he received a PhD in veterinary science with the thesis "The development of the Bavarian cattle insurance office in the first 15 years of its existence".[3]
Niklas began his career at his alma mater as a research assistant and worked there until 1912.[3] Then he moved to state veterinary service.[3] He was the department chief for livestock breeding and animal products in the Bavarian ministry of agriculture from 1925 until 1935 when he was fired by the Nazis.[2] Then he dealt with the management of large estates, and bought and ran a farm in southern Bavaria.[2] He was a member of theBavarian People's Party before 1933.[2] From 1945 to 1947 he was the state secretary at the Bavarian ministry of food, agriculture and forestry.[4] He was a member ofthe Christian Social Union in Bavaria (CSU) which he joined in 1946.[2][5] From 1947 to 1949 he served as the deputy director of the department for food, agriculture and forestry at the united economic area.[4] He was also an academic[6] and became professor at the Veterinary Faculty ofMunich University in 1947.[2]
From 1948 to 1949 he was the deputy director of the Bizonal food and agriculture administration.[2] He served as the minister of food, agriculture and forestry in the cabinet led by Konrad Adenauer.[5][7] Niklas was in office from 20 September 1949 to 20 October 1953.[8] He was replaced byHeinrich Lübke in the post.[8] In a May 1951by-election inBavaria he was elected to theBundestag.[2]
Niklas was a Catholic.[3] He died inMunich on 12 April 1957 due to complications following a car accident.[3]
The federal ministry of agriculture has been awarding "Professor-Niklas-Medal” for his memory.[1][4] It is the highest award given by the ministry.[4]
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