Sebastian Haffner 1907 – 1999

Biography

Sebastian Haffner was born on December 27, 1907, in the Moabit district of Berlin, during a transformative period in German history. He would go on to become one of Germany’s most respected journalists and authors, dedicating his life to documenting and interpreting the pivotal events of the twentieth century. His career spanned decades, during which he established himself as a thoughtful observer and chronicler of his nation’s complex past.

Throughout his long life, Haffner worked to illuminate historical events through his writing, bringing clarity and nuance to the German experience. His journalism and books demonstrated a commitment to understanding the forces that shaped modern Europe. Living through some of the most consequential years of German history, he witnessed transformations that few were better positioned to interpret.

Haffner passed away on January 2, 1999, in his native Berlin, just days into the final year of the twentieth century he had chronicled so carefully. He was laid to rest at Parkfriedhof Lichterfelde in Berlin, leaving behind a significant body of work that continues to serve as a valuable record for historians and readers seeking to understand Germany’s modern past. His legacy endures through the insights and perspectives he shared with the world.