Albert Speer

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Albert Speer (1933)

Berthold Konrad Hermann Albert Speer (19 March 1905 in Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg Germany – 1 September 1981 in London, England) was a leading German architect in the Third Reich. Speer was born on 19 March 1905 in Mannheim, Baden, Germany. He joined the Nazi Party in 1931 and was Adolf Hitler's chief architect before he became the minister for munitions and armaments in 1942, replacing Fritz Todt in the Cabinet.

After World War II he was convicted of slavery and spent 20 years in prison. After being released he wrote two autobiographical books. He portrayed himself as a well educated and apolitical architect who regretted failing to know the bad things Hitler and the Nazis were doing.

Speer died of a stroke in 1 September 1981 in London. His son, Albert Speer Jr. was also an architect.