Historical figure

Peter Klöckner

Chairman of the supervisory board of the Klöckner-Werke AG

Peter Klöckner (Koblenz, 9 November 1863 – Duisburg, 5 October 1940) was one of Germany's great steel industrialists. Co-founder in 1906 of the trading house Klöckner & Co with his brother Florian, he then built up an industrial group, the Klöckner-Werke AG (1923). A Duisburg city councillor from 1919 to 1929 and a member of the Prussian State Council from 1921 to 1933, he commissioned, around 1911–1912, the country estate of Haus Hartenfels, a castle-like villa on the highest point of Duisburg, which his family occupied until 1942. His career sheds light on industrialists' architecture in the Ruhr region at the beginning of the 20th century.

Portrait of Peter Klöckner
Birth9 novembre 1863, Coblence
Death5 octobre 1940, Duisbourg
RoleChairman of the supervisory board of the Klöckner-Werke AG
EraXIXe-XXe siècle
History & heritage

An industrialist and his estate

Peter Klöckner had Haus Hartenfels built around 1911–1912 on the edge of the Stadtwald in Duisburg. The villa, burgähnlich (resembling a castle), belongs to late historicism; it was supplemented from 1923 to 1926 by a north wing for service buildings and reception rooms. The family lived there until 1942, after which the house accommodated people bombed out and refugees, followed by a long period of vacancy and a restoration in 1986.

Haus HartenfelsHaus Hartenfels
Timeline

Key moments in their life

1863

Born in Koblenz into a family of nine children.

1906

Founded Klöckner & Co in Duisburg with his brother Florian.

vers 1911-1912

Construction of Haus Hartenfels, his country estate in the Stadtwald of Duisburg.

1919-1929

Duisburg city councillor.

1923-1926

Extension of Haus Hartenfels with a north wing designed by William Dunkel.

1923

Creation of the Klöckner-Werke AG.

1940

Dies in Duisburg; Günther Henle takes over the leadership of the group.

Associated heritage

Castles linked to this figure

1 place
Historical network

Linked personalities

Portrait of Florian Klöckner
Florian KlöcknerBrother and co-founder of Klöckner & CoIndustrialist and politician (1868–1947), associated with Peter Klöckner in founding the trading house in 1906.→
Portrait of Günther Henle
Günther HenleSuccessor in the leadership of the groupTakes over the leadership of the Klöckner group after the death of Peter Klöckner in 1940.→
Portrait of William Dunkel
William DunkelArchitect of the north wing of Haus Hartenfels (1923–1926)Swiss architect who extended the estate.→
Explore further

Peter Klöckner in history

From trading to industrial group

After working in the steel industry, Klöckner co-founded Klöckner & Co in Duisburg in 1906 with his brother Florian, which became one of Germany's largest steel merchants, and then built up an industrial group around the Klöckner-Werke AG (1923). In 1926, he refused to merge with the Vereinigte Stahlwerke in order to remain independent.

Documentation

Sources for this entry

This summary cross-references several sources to document the places, events and historical relationships.