Emil Georg Bührle
Emil Georg Bührle (; August 31, 1890 - November 26, 1956) was a German-born Swiss industrialist, controversial armament manufacturer and art collector. Bührle was long-term managing owner of Oerlikon-Bührle and the founding patron of Foundation E.G. Bührle. By the end of the Second World War Bührle had become Switzerland's richest man after having been told by the Swiss authorities to not only supply weapons to the allies but also to Nazi Germany. He was the patriarch of the Bührle family. Early life and education Bührle was born August 31, 1890, to Joseph and Rosa (née Benz) Bührle, in Pforzheim, then Grand Duchy of Baden. His father initially was a shoemaker and later became a municipal tax collector. He had an elder sister and one younger brother. In 1902, his family relocated from Pforzheim to Freiburg im Breisgau. He was raised in the Old Christ Catholic faith. In 1909, Bührle completed his Abitur, and studied at University of Freiburg majoring in Art History and Literature before moving to Munich. Career Bührle initially served in the Imperial Army as cavalry officer during World War I from 1914 to 1919. In 1919 he joined the Magdeburg Machine and Tool Factory (Magdeburg Werkzeugmaschinenfabrik), today