Photo: Archiv der sozialen Demokratie der Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung

Willy Brandt Archive

The Willy Brandt Archive (WBA) at the Archive of Social Democracy (Archiv der sozialen Demokratie) of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Bonn preserves the entire estate of Willy Brandt. Its task is to collect, store, organise, index and make available archival material from Willy Brandt’s personal life as well as his professional and political career.

The archive contains around 400 linear metres of files, making it one of the largest bequests of any German post-war politician. In addition, there is an extensive photo collection as well as numerous devotional objects, orders and gifts. The WBA’s documents are an important primary source for research into the history of German exile, the post-war period, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Social Democratic Party and the Socialist International.

According to the Establishment Act, one of the most important tasks of the Federal Chancellor Willy Brandt Foundation is to participate in the use and evaluation of the WBA. To fulfil this purpose, the Foundation has published the ten-volume “Willy Brandt – Berlin Edition”.

The Foundation in Berlin and the WBA at the Friedrich Ebert Foundation cooperate closely. The Board of Trustees of the Foundation is identical in person with the Advisory Board of the WBA in accordance with the Agreement on the Archive of 1 June 1994. This advisory board determines the general guidelines for the work of the archive and access to it.

Scientists or journalists who wish to conduct research at the archive must submit an application beforehand. Please contact:

Willy-Brandt-Archiv
im Archiv der sozialen Demokratie der Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
Sven Haarmann M.A.
Godesberger Allee 149
53175 Bonn
Tel.0228 / 883-8023
E-Mail