Early Life and Education
Reinhold Eckardt was born on October 18, 1880, in Witzschdorf, Kingdom of Saxony. He pursued studies in law and political science at the Universities of Leipzig, Berlin, and Marburg. He earned his doctorate in law (Dr. jur.). Following his academic pursuits, he entered the Prussian civil service, holding various administrative positions.
Political Career
Eckardt's political career began before World War I.
- Prussian House of Representatives: From 1913 to 1918, he served as a member of the Prussian House of Representatives (Preußisches Abgeordnetenhaus), representing the German Conservative Party (Deutschkonservative Partei).
- District Administrator: After the war and the establishment of the Weimar Republic, Eckardt joined the German National People's Party (DNVP). He was appointed as the District Administrator (Landrat) for the district of Gummersbach from 1918 to 1920.
- Reichstag: From 1920 to 1924, he was a member of the Reichstag, the national parliament of the Weimar Republic, representing the DNVP. During his time in the Reichstag, he was involved in financial and economic policy discussions.
Financial and Administrative Leadership
Following his parliamentary career, Eckardt transitioned into prominent roles within the financial sector:
- President of the Prussian State Bank: From 1924 to 1934, Reinhold Eckardt served as the President of the Prussian State Bank (Preußische Staatsbank), also known as the Seehandlung. This institution was a significant public bank in Prussia and played a crucial role in the state's economy. His tenure as president spanned a critical period, encompassing the stabilization efforts after the hyperinflation, the Great Depression, and the initial years of Nazi rule.
Later Life and Death
After stepping down from his role at the Prussian State Bank in 1934, Eckardt's public profile diminished. He passed away on May 12, 1959, in his hometown of Witzschdorf.
References
- Databases of the Reichstag members
- Historical records of the Prussian House of Representatives
- Records of the Prussian State Bank (Seehandlung)