Dfkm. Erwin Grossmann (eigentlich: Grohsmann)
- Born on: 1.1.1920
- Birthplace: Vienna (Wien),
- Category: Doctorate program
- Right of domicile: Wien (Wien),
The English version is based on a translation by artificial intelligence. The authentic version is considered to be the German text.
After attending the Handelsakademie Wien I (Akademiestraße 12), Erwin Grohsmann, whose last name is occasionally recorded as ‘Grossmann’ in historical sources, was enrolled at the University for World Trade for seven semesters between the winter semester 1938/39 and the autumn trimester 1940. Here, he passed the diploma examination at the end of September 1940. As early as mid-February 1941, he submitted his doctoral thesis on *Die Lohnfrage im Wandel der Zeit* to the same university. Although it was graded 'good' by both of his reviewers, Grohsmann was not granted his doctorate 'due to lack of proof of descent.' Meanwhile, it had become known that Grohsmann, who lived with his mother Leopoldine at Schlösselgasse 14/17 (8th district of Vienna) during his studies, was considered a 'first-degree mixed-breed' according to National Socialist views, regardless of his affiliation with the Roman Catholic Church. His concealment of his descent from Jewish ancestors and his continuous presentation as an Aryan were seen by NS rector Kurt Knoll as evidence that he had 'cheated' his way into university studies.
How Grohsmann survived the course of World War II is not known. His own cryptic statement that he had participated 'as an active fighter of the Austrian freedom movement' cannot be ruled out nor substantiated by sources.
After the liberation of Vienna from National Socialist terror, Grohsmann was appointed by the Soviet military administration as the provisional head of the University for World Trade. In this role, he advocated for a rebuild; furthermore, he held a lecture on general business administration in the summer semester of 1945. On May 25, 1945, just three days before the start of lecture operations in the summer semester, Grohsmann handed over the leadership role to Franz Dörfel as the first post-war rector, who had already headed the 'University for World Trade' during Austrofascism and briefly under National Socialism. On June 5, 1945, Dörfel stated in writing to Grohsmann that he had done 'so much for the University for World Trade in the first days after the liberation of Vienna by the Red Army (...) that your honorable memory will surely remain forever in the annals of our university.'
However, this appreciation soon wavered when Grohsmann was arrested in the summer of 1945. He was accused of unlawfully selling art and other objects from an apartment on Josefstädter Straße (8th district) that had been assigned to him by the Soviet army. On April 4, 1946, he was sentenced by the Vienna Regional Court to ten months in hard labor, 'aggravated by a harsh camp monthly.' The appeal for nullity that Grohsmann subsequently filed was rejected by the Higher Regional Court on October 23, 1946; thus, the sentence was legally effective.
In light of the judicial conviction, Grohsmann was stripped of the degree of Diplomkaufmann that he had obtained in 1940 at the 'University for World Trade' in 1951. His application to have this academic degree reinstated after serving his sentence was rejected by the professors' council of the university in June 1959. Presumably in the same context, his application from autumn 1951 for admission to the doctoral examination was denied. His application for habilitation had already failed in 1946.
Aside from the connections to the University for World Trade, the 1946 court case, and the fact that Grohsmann was temporarily President of the Chamber of Austrian Merchants, his professional development in the post-war period cannot be reconstructed without gaps. Entries in the reference work Compass show that he was active in the food trade in Vienna from 1955 until shortly before his death (in succession in the 6th, 4th, 8th, and 14th districts).
In July 1953, Grohsmann married Anna Maria Anzengruber (born May 5, 1921, in Stiedelsbach near Losenstein). He was buried on January 21, 1997, at the cemetery in Vienna-Hütteldorf. Here he rests with his wife.
Author: Johannes Koll
Source material
Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien, Universitätsarchiv, Studierendenkarteikarten Grossmann und Grohsmann.
Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien, Universitätsarchiv, Protokolle zu den Sitzungen des Professorenkollegiums.
Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien, Universitätsarchiv, Präsidialakt 1946/42.
Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien, Universitätsarchiv, Personalakt Erwin Grohsmann.
Österreichisches Staatsarchiv, Archiv der Republik, 02 Unterricht/Kurator d. wiss. Hochsch. Wien (Kart. 13)/GZ 5301 ex 1940-1943 (nach Brief von Dr. Herbert Posch und Katharina Kniefacz [Universität Wien] an Dr. Johannes Koll [Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien] vom 13. Februar 2013).
Meldeauskunft des Wiener Stadt- und Landesarchivs, GZ MA 8 – B-MEW – 625580/2013.
Compass, diverse Bände von 1955 bis 1996/97.
Friedhöfe Wien, Verstorbenensuche: http://www.friedhoefewien.at/eportal/ [30. August 2013].