The honorary citizen award (German: Ehrenbürgerrecht) is the highest decoration of Hamburg, Germany. The awards have been given sporadically since 1813, originally only to non-Hamburg citizens (with one exception, Johannes Brahms in 1889) "to make them as one of us" (um sie zu einem der unseren zu machen). Since 1948, it has been extended to Hamburg citizens as well.
The awards are given by the Senate of Hamburg, and since 1848 the state parliament (Hamburgische Bürgerschaft) is asked to confirm the honor. It can also be revoked (as in the case of Adolf Hitler and Hermann Göring), and gives no rights or duty.
Honorary Citizens of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg
Listed by year of award:
| Date | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1813 | Friedrich Karl von Tettenborn (1778–1845) | Russian Colonel and diplomat "Because the Lord has guided the restoration of the independence of Hamburg so fortunate and carried out the liberation of the Napoleonic occupation forces." |
| 1816 | Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher (1742–1819) | Prussian field marshal "The prince had stated to the Mayor, that it would be very glad to be rewarded with the citizenship." |
| 1826 | August Otto Graf Grote (1747–1830) | Prussian Secret Council and diplomat to Hamburg "On the recommendation of Counselor Büscher." |
| 1834 | James Colquhoun (1780–1855) | Hanseatic Consul General to London "On the recommendation of Dr. Abendroth in terms of special achievements." |
| 1838 | Georg Michael Gramlich (1795–1880) | Merchant, Hanseatic diplomat to Venezuela "Closure of a friendship, trade and navigation treaty with Venezuela on 27 May 1837." |
| 1843 | Johann Smidt (1773–1857) | Mayor of Bremen "Acknowledging the assistance after the Great Fire of Hamburg." |
| 1843 | Eduard Heinrich von Flottwell (1786–1865) | Prussian Secret Council "Acknowledging the assistance after the Great Fire." |
| 1843 | Conrad Daniel Graf von Blücher-Altona (1764–1845) | Danish Secret Council and President of the city of Altona "Acknowledging the assistance after the Great Fire." |
| 1843 | Heinrich Christoph Gottfried von Struve (1772–1851) | Russian Secret Council and diplomat to the Hanseatic cities "On the occasion of his 50th anniversary o service and for his efforts in the promotion of science (founder of the science museum in Hamburg)." |
| 1871 | Otto von Bismarck (1815–1898) | Chancellor of the German Empire "Services for the reborn and united German Fatherland" |
| 1871 | Helmuth Karl Bernhard, Graf von Moltke (1800–1891) | Prussian General "Services for the reborn and united German Fatherland" |
| 1886 | Gustav Christian Schwabe (1813–1897) | Merchant in London "Gift of 128 paintings to the Kunsthalle" |
| 1889 | Johannes Brahms (1833–1897) | Composer, the only Hamburg resident before 1948 "Through the outstanding works brought honor and glory to his native town" |
| 1901 | Alfred Graf von Waldersee (1832–1904) | Prussian field marshal "Activity in maintaining world peace." |
| 1917 | Paul von Hindenburg (1847–1934) | Prussian field marshal "Grateful reverence of the victorious and glorious commander." |
| 1948 | Henry Everling (1873–1960) | Senator of Hamburg "Contributions to the common good (consumer cooperatives)." |
| 1950 | Adolph Schönfelder (1875–1966) | President of the Hamburg Parliament and First Mayor of Hamburg "Contributions to the common good and constructive cooperation between the ruling majority and opposition." |
| 1960 | Max Brauer (1887–1973) | First Mayor of Hamburg "Contributions to the common good." |
| 1971 | Herbert Weichmann (1896–1983) | First Mayor of Hamburg "Contributions to the common good." |
| 1978 | Herbert Dau (1911–2000) | President of the Hamburg Parliament "Contributions to the common good." |
| 1983 | Helmut Schmidt (1918–2015) | German chancellor "For his statesmanship and great contributions to the common good of Hamburg." |
| 1985 | Ida Ehre (1900–1989) | Actress and director "Outstanding contributions to the intellectual and cultural reconstruction of our country and the city of Hamburg." |
| 1986 | Herbert Wehner (1906–1990) | Member of the Bundestag "Has made a contribution to the reconstruction of our country and our city of Hamburg." |
| 1986 | Gerd Bucerius (1906–1996) | Politician, journalist, and employer "Has shaped the history of media and great contribution to our country and our city of Hamburg." |
| 1991 | Kurt A. Körber (1909–1992) | Employer and founder "Outstanding contribution to the Federal Republic of Germany, the reconstruction of Hamburg and the promotion of science and culture." |
| 1991 | Alfred Toepfer (1894–1993) | Merchant and founder "Outstanding contribution to the Federal Republic of Germany, the reconstruction of Hamburg and the promotion of science and culture." |
| 1993 | Rudolf Augstein (1923–2002) | Publisher and journalist "Outstanding contribution to Hamburg as the media capital of Germany." |
| 1999 | Marion Gräfin Dönhoff (1909–2002) | Publisher and publicist "Extraordinary contributions to freedom, justice and human rights." |
| 2001 | Siegfried Lenz (1925–2014) | Writer "Has contributed with his literary work for the renewal and recognition of Germany in the spirit of humanism." |
| 2003 | Uwe Seeler (1936–2022) | The first sports person receiving the honorary citizenship. |
| 2005 | Hannelore and Helmut Greve | Major figures in construction sector; also patrons and sponsors of cultural establishments. |
| 2007 | John Neumeier | The first artist to receive the honorary citizenship and the first foreign born. |
| 2009 | Loki Schmidt (1919–2010) | Contributions to preservation of endangered plants. |
Revoked
- 1933 Adolf Hitler (1889–1945) revoked 1945
- 1937 Hermann Göring (1893–1946) revoked 1945
References
- ^ Staff (2002-07-02), Ehrenbürger - Zuletzt ein Dichter (in German), abendblatt.de, retrieved 2008-08-21
- "Das Hamburger Ehrenbürgerrecht" (in German). State Chancellery. Archived from the original on 2009-02-17. Retrieved 2009-11-01.
- "Hamburgische Ehrenbürger" (in German). State Chancellery. Retrieved 2008-08-13.
- Verleihung des Ehrenbürgerrechts an John Neumeier (in German), Hamburg Parliament, 2007-06-01, archived from the original on 2011-07-19, retrieved 2009-07-24
- Pressestelle des Senats (2009-02-09), Ehrenbürgerschaft für Loki Schmidt (Press release) (in German), Hamburg Parliament, archived from the original on 2011-07-19, retrieved 2009-07-24
| Honorary citizenship around the world | |
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| See also | |
 Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg | |
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| Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg | |
| Government and symbols | |
| History and culture | |
| Economy and transport | |