# Rudolf Petersen

_German politician (1878-1962)_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/rudolf-petersen
Last updated: 2026-10-31

> Rudolf Hieronymus Petersen (30 December 1878 in Hamburg – 10 September 1962 in Wentorf bei Hamburg) was a German businessman, politician (CDU) and First Mayor of Hamburg (1945–46).

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 30 December 1878 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q87670#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Hamburg ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q87670#P19))
- **Died:** 10 September 1962 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q87670#P570))
- **Place of death:** Wentorf bei Hamburg ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q87670#P20))
- **Citizenship:** Germany ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q87670#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician; merchant; mayor ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q87670#P106))
- **Political party:** Christian Democratic Union ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q87670#P102))
- **Positions held:** First Mayor of Hamburg (15 May 1945 – 15 November 1946) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q87670#P39))
- **Awards:** Knight Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q87670#P166))

## About

Petersen's brother Carl Wilhelm Petersen was head of Hamburg's government (first mayor) between 1924 and 1929 and again from 1932 to 1933. Their grandfather Carl Friedrich Petersen had officiated as first mayor several terms, last until his death in 1892. In 1911, Rudolf Petersen founded the business Rudolf Petersen und Co. — after several mergers today MPC Capital AG. In May 1945 after the World War II, Brigadier General Sir George Armytage — Military Governor of Hamburg — appointed Petersen mayor of Hamburg. Petersen joined the CDU. In 1946, he was followed by Max Brauer, who was elected as the First Mayor, and Petersen remained member of the Hamburg Parliament until 1949.

## Questions

**When was Rudolf Petersen born?**  
Rudolf Petersen was born on 30 December 1878 in Hamburg.

**What positions has Rudolf Petersen held?**  
Positions held by Rudolf Petersen include: First Mayor of Hamburg (1945–1946).

## Related

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- [Ole von Beust](https://diginpl.com/people/ole-von-beust)
- [Klaus von Dohnanyi](https://diginpl.com/people/klaus-von-dohnanyi)
- [Max Brauer](https://diginpl.com/people/max-brauer)
- [Herbert Weichmann](https://diginpl.com/people/herbert-weichmann)
- [Ortwin Runde](https://diginpl.com/people/ortwin-runde)

## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Rudolf Petersen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolf_Petersen) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q87670](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q87670) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Rudolf Petersen, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0).

## Cite this page

"Rudolf Petersen". DigiNepal. Last updated 31 October 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/rudolf-petersen. Retrieved 5 November 2026.