Carl Schmitt 1888 – 1985

Biography

Carl Schmitt lived a long and intellectually productive life, born on July 11, 1888, in the town of Plettenberg and remaining connected to his birthplace throughout his years. As a German jurist and political theorist, he devoted his career to the study of law and its philosophical foundations, eventually establishing himself as a professor of law. His work contributed significantly to legal and political thought during a transformative period in European history.

Schmitt’s professional legacy was shaped by his academic pursuits and theoretical writings on matters of state, sovereignty, and the nature of law itself. He spent decades developing ideas that would influence subsequent generations of legal scholars and political philosophers. His career spanned most of the twentieth century, allowing him to witness and respond to profound changes in European society and governance.

On April 7, 1985, at the age of ninety-six, Schmitt passed away in his native Plettenberg, having lived nearly a century. He was laid to rest in Plettenberg, returning to the town where his life had begun. His long residence and final resting place in this Märkischer Kreis community reflect a life deeply rooted in his homeland, and his contributions to legal and political theory continue to be studied and debated by scholars around the world.