Werner Villinger (1887-1961) was a psychiatrist, neurologist, eugenicist and the leading physician at the "Anstalt Bethel" (Bethel Institution).

Villinger's specialities included juvenile delinquency, child guidance and group therapy. He was Professor of Psychiatry at the Philipps University of Marburg and a very important member of the World Federation of Mental Health (WFMH).

Politically committed to the national conservatives, Villinger was attracted by many elements of Nazi ideology and acted as an expert in the framework of the Nazi euthanasia program.

On Social Welfare Education Day 1934, Werner Villinger gave a speech on sterilization and described the reaction, fears, and resistance of the boys involved. His observations contradicted the ruthless and unshakeable faith in the necessity of sterilisation.

He was involved in criminal experiments with human beings and ordered thousands to their deaths during the Third Reich. Yet, he supported the quiet diplomacy of Rev. von Bodelschwingh in his attempt to terminate the mass murder.

After World War II, Villinger successfully continued his career in the Federal Republic of Germany and co-founded the Federal Ministry of Family, Youth and Health. He was honored by the German government and never confronted his past.

Villinger attended the U.S. White House Conference on Children and Youth.

In 1951 Villinger became co-chairman of the WFMH Health and Human Relations conference at Hiddesen-near-Detmold. In 1952 he was a member of a WFMH group on Educating the Public which met during the Annual Conference in Brussels.

In 1954 was became the head of the medical department of Philipps University of Marburg.

In 1961 German Federal Authorities caught up with Villinger and after three preliminary sessions prior to the Limburg trial, Villinger threw himself off a mountain top near Innsbruck to his death. His apologist and author of his obituary Dr. Ehrhardt , was also an active member of the WFMH.

External links

• PubMed: Villinger

See also

• Psychiatry
• Eugenics
• Euthanasia
• Nazi Germany
• T-4 Euthanasia Program