Renner, Karl

Renner, Karl (kärl rĕn`ər), 1870–1950, Austrian socialist politician. A deputy after 1907, Renner became, following the abdication (Nov., 1918) of Emperor Charles I, the head of the provisional Austrian government and, after elections were held, the first chancellor (1919–20) of the Austrian republic. As leader of the Austrian delegation at the Paris Peace Conference, Renner signed the Treaty of Saint-Germain. He later served (1931–33) as president of the parliament. As World War II was ending in Apr., 1945, Renner became premier and minister of foreign affairs in the provisional Austrian government, and in Dec., 1945, he was elected president of the liberated Austrian republic. After his death he was succeeded by Theodor Körner. Renner wrote works in sociology, economics, and political science.

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Renner, Karl

(born Dec. 14, 1870, Unter-Tannowitz, Bohemia, Austria-Hungary—died Dec. 31, 1950, Doebling, Austria) Austrian chancellor (1918–20, 1945) and president (1945–50). A lawyer, he served in the Reichsrat (lower house) from 1907. He became the first chancellor of the new Austrian republic in 1918 but was unable to prevent territorial losses at the end of World War I. In the 1920s he led the right wing of the Social Democratic Party and in 1938 favoured the Anschluss with Germany. In 1945 he worked to reestablish Austrian home rule and was elected president of the republic. He wrote numerous works on government and law.