Mildred Harnack American-German translator, literary critic Date of Birth: 16.09.1902 Country: USA

Biography of Mildred Harnack

Mildred Harnack, born Mildred Elizabeth Smith, was an American-German translator, literary critic, anti-fascist, and member of the "Red Orchestra" resistance movement during World War II. She was executed by order of Hitler.

Mildred Harnack was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and attended West Division High School. She developed an interest in literature and foreign languages, which eventually merged into her passion for German literature. In 1926, while continuing her studies, she began teaching at the University of Wisconsin and around the same time, she met her future husband, Arvid Harnack.

Being surrounded by creative individuals, many of whom already enjoyed considerable respect in the literary scene, Mildred dedicated most of her time to education, planning to spend her life within the university walls. Her thesis focused on the history of translations of the "Iliad" and compared the two most popular versions with the original ancient Greek poem.

In 1929, Mildred and Arvid moved to Germany to pursue their doctoral degrees. During her studies in Berlin, she also taught English and literature at the University of Berlin and worked as a translator. In Germany, she actively participated in the activities of the Association of American Students and served as the president of the women's club at the United States Embassy in Berlin.

Unfortunately, peaceful academic life began to crumble over time. The once blue German sky started to darken with clouds, and instead of students and civilians, military personnel became increasingly prominent in the cities. By the mid-1930s, Mildred, together with her husband and close circle, started exploring communist ideas as a means to combat poverty.

By the late 1930s, life became more challenging. Magazines refused to publish Harnack's articles one after another, and the overall atmosphere in the country became increasingly heated, with much of the population suspecting an impending war. The discussion club that had been active for several years was disbanded, and all its members, including Mildred, joined the resistance movement. This marked the beginning of Harnack's collaboration with one of the organizations of the "Red Orchestra".

In 1941, Mildred and other members attempted to warn the Soviet Union about Germany's imminent attack, but unfortunately, their message went unheard. Throughout the following year, Mildred actively participated in the organization's activities, but in 1942, one of their telegrams was intercepted. Several individuals, including Mildred and her husband, were arrested.

Arvid Harnack was executed a few days after the military tribunal's decision, while Mildred was acquitted and sentenced to six years in prison. However, Adolf Hitler intervened in the court's decision, and the subsequent hearing ended with a death sentence. On February 16, she was executed, uttering her last words that would inspire German aristocrats joining the resistance movement due to their inability to witness crimes against not only Jews, Romani people, and most of the countries conquered by the Nazis but also against their own Germany.

Mildred Harnack was the only American woman executed by Hitler's order. In her honor, several streets in Germany were renamed after her, and her friend and colleague Clara Leiser wrote the poem "To and from the guillotine".