Rudolf Brinkmann (economist)

Rudolf Brinkmann
Born	1893-08-28 Greene, Einbeck, Germany
Died	1955-08-01
Occupation(s)	Economist, banking official
Years active	1919–1939
Known for	State Secretary in Reich and Prussian Ministry of Economics; Vice President of the Reichsbank

Rudolf Brinkmann (28 August 1893 – 1 August 1955) was a German economist and banking official who held the position of State Secretary within the Reich and Prussian Ministry of Economics, as well as serving as Vice President of the Reichsbank during the era of Nazi Germany. His service spanned approximately one year before a serious psychiatric disorder necessitated his hospitalization and subsequent dismissal from his roles.

Early life

Brinkmann was born in Greene, Einbeck. After completing his Abitur, he pursued studies in political science and economics at the University of Bonn and Humboldt University of Berlin. With the onset of World War I, he enlisted in the Imperial German Army, serving in the 46th (Lower Saxony) Field Artillery Regiment. His military career ended in 1916 due to an injury, holding the rank of Gefreiter.

Following his military discharge, Brinkmann embarked on a banking career beginning in 1919 at the Reichsbank branch in Göttingen. By 1923, he was overseeing the bank’s audit department in Berlin and later collaborated with its executive board. He advanced to join the Reichsbank branch management in Hamburg before assuming directorship of its Aschaffenburg office in 1931.

Career in Nazi Germany

With the Nazi seizure of power, Brinkmann became a member of the board at the Deutsche Golddiskontbank during spring 1933. In 1934, he served as a Generalreferent (general advisor) under Reichsminister Hjalmar Schacht within the Reich and Prussian Ministry of Economic Affairs. On 28 February 1936, Brinkmann was appointed to the Reichsbank board of directors. Subsequently, on 4 February 1938, under Economics Minister Walther Funk, he advanced to principal State Secretary of the ministry, succeeding Hans Ernst Posse. Concurrently, he was named to the Prussian State Council by Prussian Minister President Hermann Göring. Between 1938 and 1939, Brinkmann also held a board position at the industrial conglomerate Reichswerke Hermann Göring. On 20 April 1938, he entered the ranks of the Allgemeine SS (SS number 308,241), receiving promotion to SS-Oberführer on 9 November that year.

Following Funk’s appointment as president of the Reichsbank on 20 January 1939, Brinkmann was named vice president on the subsequent day. In this capacity, he managed bank operations and acted as Germany’s representative in international financial matters, effectively succeeding Schacht’s responsibilities. His affiliation with the Nazi Party is uncertain. Additionally, Brinkmann held board memberships at (United Electricity Works of Westphalia) and at the Bank for International Settlements.

Hospitalization

Brinkmann was placed on indefinite medical leave on 17 February 1939 due to an acute manic-depressive illness characterized as a "severe nervous breakdown." By 11 May 1939, he had officially retired and was admitted to a psychiatric facility in Bonn, where he remained throughout Second World War. His positions were subsequently filled by Friedrich Landfried as State Secretary within the Reich Ministry of Economics and Emil Puhl as Vice President of the Reichsbank. Information concerning Brinkmann’s life following this period is limited.