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The Memoir of Ilse Seger: Wife, Mother, Hostage, Nazi Resister
Elisabeth "Ilse" Seger was the wife of Gerhart Heinrich Seger, a German Social Democratic member of the Reichstag from 1930 to 1933. He was reelected for the last time on March 5, 1933, shortly after Hitler came to power. A week later, the Nazis arrested him and held him in "protective custody" for three months in a local prison in Dessau and then sent him to Oranienburg concentration camp for six months, until he escaped to Czechoslovakia.
In The Memoir of Ilse Seger, Ilse tells Gerhart's story, but more importantly, she tells her own of her early resistance to the Nazi regime as a political opponent herself; of her solidarity with the Jews during the early years of Nazi persecution; of her defiance of expectations for women at the time; of her time as a hostage alongside her daughter, Renate, in Rosslau concentration camp and how they got out with help from members of Parliament; and, lastly, of her first years living in exile in France and Switzerland as her husband went on an anti-fascist speaking tour in the US. Ilse's story is an incredible contribution to our understanding of gendered political resistance, life in early German concentration camps, and Alltagsgeschichte, or the history of everyday life, by showing what everyday life was like for the wife of a political opponent in Nazi Germany.
The Memoir of Ilse Seger is a gripping narrative of adventure and intrigue about the wartime life of an ordinary, decent woman.
In The Memoir of Ilse Seger, Ilse tells Gerhart's story, but more importantly, she tells her own of her early resistance to the Nazi regime as a political opponent herself; of her solidarity with the Jews during the early years of Nazi persecution; of her defiance of expectations for women at the time; of her time as a hostage alongside her daughter, Renate, in Rosslau concentration camp and how they got out with help from members of Parliament; and, lastly, of her first years living in exile in France and Switzerland as her husband went on an anti-fascist speaking tour in the US. Ilse's story is an incredible contribution to our understanding of gendered political resistance, life in early German concentration camps, and Alltagsgeschichte, or the history of everyday life, by showing what everyday life was like for the wife of a political opponent in Nazi Germany.
The Memoir of Ilse Seger is a gripping narrative of adventure and intrigue about the wartime life of an ordinary, decent woman.
266 pages, Paperback
Published December 3, 2024
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May 7, 2025
Elisabeth "Ilse" Hart was born in Strasbourg, Germany on March 26, 1903 to Ernst and Margaret Hart (actors). They moved around a lot. Two younger brothers, Wolfgang and Joachim. She met Gerhart Henrich Seger and fell in love. Married young. He was a member of the SPD and was elected to Reichstag. Lived in Berlin with a home in Leipzig as well. Had their daughter, Renata in Berlin. He was elected to Reichstag for last time in March 1933 after Hitler was made Chancellor. Was arrested when Hitler purged Reighstag of opponents. Sent to Oranienburg concentration camp. Ilse was able to finally visit him there several times. He became more and more depressed until he decided to escape, knowing it might not work and he would be killed. Told Ilse to divorce him. She refused. Took him some extra money to help his escape. On the way home, she realized she hadn't given him any marks to spend. Wrote him a letter and included marks and mailed it. After his escape, the police came to talk to her. Because she had written the letter with marks, she was left alone. They didn't think she knew anything about the escape.
Eventually, she was arrested and send with Renata to Rosslau concentration camp in the hopes that Gerhart would give himself up. Kept in an attic room above Nazi bunkhouse. Was able to fix her own meals as needed and take Renata outside daily. Eventually, with SS accompanying her, was allowed to shop in town herself. She was treated well; but was still a prisoner. Eventually, friends were able to get her released and she was able to move to Switzerland where she was reunited with Gerhart. He left to do a speaking tour of America. Tried to get permission to leave for America but was turned down due to lack of birth certificates. She did have other proof; but it was denied. "By the books" interviewer turned her down. Tried later and got someone else and was given permission to leave through France for America. Was Gerhart going to settle down now that they were with him? Would she be able to change to fit into America? Would she ever see her parents again? How did she come to write her memoirs when she rarely talked about her life?
Eventually, she was arrested and send with Renata to Rosslau concentration camp in the hopes that Gerhart would give himself up. Kept in an attic room above Nazi bunkhouse. Was able to fix her own meals as needed and take Renata outside daily. Eventually, with SS accompanying her, was allowed to shop in town herself. She was treated well; but was still a prisoner. Eventually, friends were able to get her released and she was able to move to Switzerland where she was reunited with Gerhart. He left to do a speaking tour of America. Tried to get permission to leave for America but was turned down due to lack of birth certificates. She did have other proof; but it was denied. "By the books" interviewer turned her down. Tried later and got someone else and was given permission to leave through France for America. Was Gerhart going to settle down now that they were with him? Would she be able to change to fit into America? Would she ever see her parents again? How did she come to write her memoirs when she rarely talked about her life?
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