The Lübeck businessman, politician and philanthropist Emil Possehl (1850-1919) was an innovative, far-sighted strategist. The idea and purpose of his foundation was, “that the fruits of my life’s work should benefit my beloved hometown”. Emil Possehl was born 175 years ago, on 13 February 1850, in Lübeck.

Emil Possehl was a contemporary of the “Wilhelmine” German Empire. In political and social terms he was a conservative, but as an entrepreneur he was innovative and far-sighted. As a citizen of the Free and Hanseatic City of Lübeck he served in the municipal parliament and as a local minister or senator. His idea of bequeathing almost his entire company to a foundation after his death was inspired by a sentiment of local patriotism. To this day, the foundation’s sponsorship of social and cultural activities is limited to his hometown of Lübeck. Since 1950 the Possehl Foundation has spent over half a billion euros on its five charitable purposes.

“Emil Possehl combined the spirit of international enterprise with a great love of his hometown. Together they form the bedrock from which the Possehl Foundation has sponsored all that is good and beautiful in Lübeck for over 100 years”, said Prof. Dr Wolfgang Sandberger, Chair of the Board of Trustees since 1 January 2025. “We all have good reason to commemorate his 175th birthday. Emil Possehl’s foresight and pleasure in assuming civic responsibilities are an inspiration and an obligation for us today.”

Johannes Ludwig Emil Possehl was born in his parents’ house in the Beckergrube in Lübeck on 13 February 1850. This was not only where his family lived, but also the offices and warehouse of L. Possehl & Co., a company founded by his father Ludwig Possehl in 1847. At the age of 23 he joined the growing business and within a few years had become the biggest trader of ores and minerals in Europe. By acquiring companies in Russia, Sweden and Norway, the Lübeck merchant became an industrialist with connections across Europe and the world. His name belongs alongside those of such great entrepreneurs as Krupp and Thyssen. When Emil Possehl died in 1919 he bequeathed his corporate empire to the Possehl Foundation. To this day the Foundation is the sole shareholder of this international group of companies. And both the Foundation and the Company still have their offices in the Beckergrube.