Werner Hilpert

Werner Hilpert was born in Leipzig on 17 January 1897 as the first son of Johann Baptist und Martha (Rabe) Hilpert. His father held various jobs at the firm Giesecke & Devrient ranging from engraver to manager. After experiencing considerable success throughout his time at Gymnasium, Hilpert was awarded a scholarship and began studying economics, legal science, and philosophy at the university in April 1916.

Hilpert's studies were interrupted only four months later by World War I. He was drafted in July 1916 and fought in Romania and France. He received both the Friedrich-August-Medal and Iron Cross (second class) for his service. After returning home in November 1918 Hilpert continued his studies, receiving his doctorate in philosophy in July 1920. During this time he became a member of the Kartellverband katholischer deutscher Studentenvereine, to which he remained associated until his death.

Hilpert decided against a career in academia and began to work instead for the Statebank of Saxony. After working his way from the role of unsalaried clerk to department secretary, he began working as an assistant to the Union of Leipzig Retailers. At the end of 1922 he began working as a syndic whose job it was to regulate the financial issues of the enterprisers and employers of the retailers. Under his guidance the Leipzig Retailers Union attained a leading role among the retailer unions of Germany. During this time he worked with his colleague and close friend Otto Kitzinger to begin producing "Der Einzelhandelsdienst," a newspaper for retailers. Between 1922 and 1932 he also worked as the chief executive officer of the Linoleum Merchants Union, a cartel.