Bamberger, Ludwig

Bamberger, Ludwig

(lo͞ot`vĭkh bäm`bĕrgər), 1823–99, German economist, politician, and journalist. An ardent liberal, he took part in the Revolution of 1848 and was forced to live in exile until 1866. He worked for the unification of Germany, and as a leader of the National Liberals he supported Otto von Bismarck until he was alienated by the chancellor's turn to protection and state socialism. In 1880, Bamberger led a group out of the party. As a member of the Reichstag (1871–93), he was chiefly responsible for the adoption of the gold standard in Germany and for the founding of the Reichsbank.