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Peter Hermes

1922 – 2015

German diplomat

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About Peter Hermes

Lived 1922 – 2015 (aged 93). Peter Hermes was a German diplomat.

Peter Hermes (8 August 1922 – 14 October 2015) was a German diplomat, best known for serving as West German Ambassador to the United States from 1979 to 1984 and West German Ambassador to the Holy See from 1984 to 1987.

Early life and military service Hermes was born in Berlin, as the son of agricultural scientist and politician Andreas Hermes. He was drafted in 1941, and served in a penal battalion in 1944. He was captured by the Soviets. His father founded the CDU in the Soviet occupation zone, but left in 1945. Peter Hermes left East Germany in 1950.

Diplomatic career Beginning in 1953, he was trade negotiator for the Foreign Office, and Head of the Department of Foreign Trade and Development, and European economic integration.

He completed a doctorate degree in law. In 1955, he joined the Diplomatic Service. He eventually became Secretary of State at the Foreign Office from 1975 to 1979. He was Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Washington, from 1979 to 1984. He was Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Vatican, from August 1984 to 1987.

After retirement, he became a member of the Commission for Contemporary History Association, and deputy chairman of the Association of the German Archaeological Institute. He is an honorary member of the German Archaeological Institute.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
University of Bonn
Positions held
German Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador of Germany to the Holy See
Awards
Knight Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany; Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany

People in Peter Hermes's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Peter Hermes's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Peter Hermes?

German diplomat (1922–2015)

When was Peter Hermes born?

Peter Hermes was born on 8 August 1922 in Berlin.

When did Peter Hermes die?

Peter Hermes died on 14 October 2015 in Bonn.

What was Peter Hermes's occupation?

Peter Hermes was a diplomat.

What nationality was Peter Hermes?

Peter Hermes was German.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Peter Hermes

· Wikidata: Q2075654

· DBpedia: Peter Hermes

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Peter Hermes. https://biography.guide/peter-hermes/

MLA: "Peter Hermes." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/peter-hermes/.

Chicago: "Peter Hermes." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/peter-hermes/.

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