Willy Hellpach

Who was Willy Hellpach?

Willy Hellpach was the sixth State President of Baden. He was a member of the German Democratic Party. He was also a physician and psychologist.

Hellpach went to school in Greifswald to study medicine. Following his graduation in 1897, he went to Leipzig to study psychology. He received his doctorate and opened a practice in 1904. He served as a doctor in the First World War.

In 1918, he joined the DDP in Baden. In 1922, he became Minister for Teaching, and in 1924, with the surge of support to the DDP, became State President of Baden. In elections the following year, the Centre Party under Gustav Trunk regained their majority. Hellpach then ran for Reich President following the death of Friedrich Ebert, but only received 5.8% of the vote. Following a brief seat in the Reichstag, Hellpach withdrew from politics.