Werner Johannes Hilpert (17 January 1897 in Leipzig; died 24 February 1957 in Oberursel) was a German politician of the Centre Party and CDU, and is largely considered one of the founding fathers of the Federal Republic of Germany.

After experiencing considerable success throughout his time at Gymnasium, Hilpert was awarded a scholarship and began studying economics, legal science, and philosophy at the university in April 1916.

During this time he worked with his colleague and close friend Otto Kitzinger to begin producing "Der Einzelhandelsdienst," a newspaper for retailers.

In 1932, with his election as President of the Centre Party in Saxony, Hilpert began investing himself more deeply in the political realm.

In spite of the anti-Jewish laws of the Nazis, Hilpert continued to try to provide Jewish business owners with the best working conditions he could secure.

Furthermore, Hilpert's role as President of the Catholic Action in Saxony from 1932 until 1937, in which he worked for the strengthening of Christian ethics throughout society, provided further conflict with the Nazis.

[4] After spending nearly six years in Buchenwald, Hilpert seized the opportunity to take part in the restructuring of political and societal life in Germany.