Goerdeler, Carl Friedrich [key], 1884–1945, German civil servant, leader of resistance to Hitler. Lord mayor of Leipzig (1930–37) and price commissioner (1931–32, 1934–35), he resigned after continuously protesting measures taken by the Nazi regime. A conservative and a dedicated nationalist, he opposed Hitler's tactics and feared the consequences of war. After his resignation he organized the opposition to Hitler and conspired with Ludwig Beck in the unsuccessful attempt to assassinate Hitler on July 20, 1944. Goerdeler went into hiding but was arrested in Aug., 1944, and executed in Feb., 1945.
See study by G. Ritter (tr. 1958, repr. 1970).
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