Since 1861, according to the constitution of 28 September 1860, the state has been governed by the ten-member Senate, which had previously been called the council (in the German language of that time: Rath).

The function of burgomaster (mayor) was usually held simultaneously by three persons, serving as an executive college.

This is an incomplete list of burgomasters and uses the spelling in Meister's book, which is preserved in the Hamburg state library.

From 12 November 1918 to 1919, a chairman was the head of state and city government: Heinrich Lauffenberg (−1919), Carl Hense (1919).

The period in Germany after the First World War until the takeover of power – by the Nazi Party in 1933 – is called Weimar Republic.

The actual head of the Hamburg executive was the Reichsstatthalter (Regional Governor) Karl Kaufmann (1933–1945).

[4] Colonel Robert Gordon Kitchen VI, Governor of Hamburg during the control of the British Army 1945–1946.