Ernst Koref (March 11, 1891, in Linz – November 15, 1988, ibid.)
He attended Gymnasium in Linz and thanks to his conspicuous talent, he was allowed to make a speech in the 60th reign anniversary of Kaiser Franz Josef in 1908.
In 1914, he gained his PhD and joined the army in the first world war as an officer.
Koref and his brothers and sisters were discriminated against because of their partially Jewish origin according to the Nuremberg Laws in Nazi era.
After the removal of the national socialist mayor Franz Langoth from office, Koref was appointed mayor of Linz by the American occupying forces and his appointment was confirmed by following democratic elections.