Mildred Harnack

Mildred Harnack, born on September sixteenth, nineteen hundred two, was a remarkable American literary historian and translator who made significant contributions to the academic world while also standing against the oppressive Nazi regime. After marrying Arvid Harnack in nineteen twenty-nine, she relocated to Germany, where she embarked on her academic career. Her time at the University of Jena and the University of Giessen was pivotal as she worked diligently on her doctoral thesis, witnessing the early rise of Nazism during her studies.

In nineteen thirty-one, Mildred became an assistant lecturer in English and American literature at the University of Berlin. It was in this environment that she and her husband began their courageous resistance against Nazism in nineteen thirty-two. They formed an underground resistance group, which Mildred affectionately named 'the Circle.' This group became a crucial part of the anti-fascist movement in Berlin, intersecting with other resistance factions, including one led by Luftwaffe lieutenant Harro Schulze-Boysen.

As the couple developed their network, they collaborated with Soviet intelligence to gather and pass on vital information to undermine Hitler's regime. Their efforts were not in vain, as 'the Circle' later became known as the Red Orchestra (Rote Kapelle) by the Abwehr, highlighting the significance of their espionage activities. Mildred and Arvid's commitment to their cause was unwavering, even as they faced increasing danger.

Tragically, their resistance came to a halt when they were arrested in September nineteen forty-two. Despite the peril they faced, Mildred Harnack's legacy as a writer, translator, and resistance fighter endures, symbolizing the courage and determination of those who stood against tyranny.