Heuss, Theodor (1884–1963)

German politician and writer, first president of the Federal German Republic 1949–59. After World War II he became leader of the Free Democratic party in West Germany and played an important role in the drafting of the Basic Law (constitution) of the Federal Republic.

Educated in Berlin, he was influenced by the social liberal ideas of Friedrich Naumann and joined the left liberals in 1903 and the German Democratic Party in 1918. He was a member of the Reichstag 1924–28 and 1930–33. Before the war, Heuss lectured at the Berlin High School of Politics (1920–33). A representative of the Swabian liberal tradition, he was active within the Democratic party until 1933.