Bernhard Dernburg

Dernburg, Bernhard (bĕrn'härt dĕrn'bʊrk), 1865-1937, German financier and public official. As colonial director (1906) and colonial secretary (1907-10), he was responsible for reforms improving the economy, educational system, and administration of the German colonies. His efforts (1914-15) to act as German propagandist in the United States were offset by the sinking of the Lusitania. Dernburg was finance minister in the Scheidemann cabinet (1919) but resigned in protest against the Treaty of Versailles. He served (1920-30) in the Reichstag.