On this Day... September 16
• In 1891, Hitler’s successor, Karl Doenitz, was born. A Nazi from the party’s early days, he became the Reich’s grand admiral. He was almost solely responsible for rebuilding the German U-boat fleet, and by the end of the war was probably the only senior office Hitler still trusted. He claimed he only discovered “the demonic side” of Hitler’s nature “too late” – but it must have been very late, since he was loyal to the day of Hitler’s death, when he became the Fuhrer himself. He ruled Germany for just nine days – and in return was imprisoned for 10 years. Compared to Hitler, he said, “We are all worms.”
• In 1519, the controversial Dr. John Colet died. A great scholar and theologian, he was often in trouble for attacking corruption in the church, but nevertheless became dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, and used his vast fortune to found the famous St. Paul’s Public School. It started with 153 pupils – the number of fish caught by St. Peter – and the dean laid down a strict set of rules for his younger charges. There were to be no holidays, no use of tallow candles, and above all, no cock-fighting!