Query: Paul von Hindenburg was a military officer.

Relevant passages:
Paul von Hindenburg <=SEP=> Paul Ludwig Hans Anton von Beneckendorff und von Hindenburg , known generally as Paul von Hindenburg ( -LSB- ˈpaʊl fɔn ˈhɪndn̩bʊɐ̯k -RSB- ; 2 October 1847 -- 2 August 1934 ) was a German military officer , statesman , and politician who largely controlled German policy in the second half of World War I and served as the elected President of Germany from 1925 until his death in 1934 . He played the key role in the Nazi `` Seizure of Power '' in January 1933 by appointing Hitler chancellor of a `` Government of National Concentration '' , even though the Nazis were in the minority in cabinet .   Hindenburg retired from the army for the first time in 1911 , but was recalled shortly after the outbreak of World War I in 1914 . He first came to national attention at the age of 66 as the victor of the decisive Battle of Tannenberg in August 1914 . As Germany 's Chief of the General Staff from August 1916 , Hindenburg 's reputation rose greatly in German public esteem . He and his deputy Erich Ludendorff then led Germany in a de facto military dictatorship throughout the remainder of the war , marginalizing German Emperor Wilhelm II as well as the German Reichstag ( Parliament . )   Hindenburg retired again in 1919 , but returned to public life in 1925 to be elected the second President of Germany . In 1932 , Hindenburg was persuaded to run for re-election as German president , although 84 years old and in poor health , because he was considered the only candidate who could defeat Adolf Hitler . Hindenburg was re-elected in a runoff . He was opposed to Hitler and was a major player in the increasing political instability in the Weimar Republic that ended with Hitler 's rise to power . He dissolved the Reichstag twice in 1932 and finally , under pressure , agreed to appoint Hitler Chancellor of Germany in January 1933 . Hindenburg did this to satisfy Hitler 's demands that he should play a part in the Weimar Government despite losing the election . In February , he signed off on the Reichstag Fire Decree , which suspended various civil liberties , and in March he signed the Enabling Act of 1933 , which gave Hitler 's regime arbitrary powers . Hindenburg died the following year , after which Hitler declared the office of President vacant and made himself head of state .   Paul von Beneckendorff und von Hindenburg was born in Posen , Prussia ( Polish : Poznań ; until 1793 and since 1919 part of Poland ) , the son of Prussian aristocrat Robert ( 1816 -- 1902 ) and wife Luise Schwickart ( 1825 -- 1893 ) , the daughter of medical doctor Karl Ludwig Schwickart and wife Julie Moennich . His paternal grandparents were Otto Ludwig Fady von Beneckendorff und von Hindenburg ( 1778 -- 18 July 1855 ) , through whom he was remotely descended from the illegitimate daughter of Count Heinrich VI of Waldeck , and his wife Eleonore von Brederfady ( died 1863 ) . Hindenburg was also a direct descendant of Martin Luther and his wife Katharina von Bora , through their daughter Margareta Luther . Hindenburg 's younger brothers and sister were Otto , born 24 August 1849 , Ida , born 19 December 1851 and Bernhard , born 17 January 1859 .   Paul was proud of his family tree , tracing ancestors back to 1289 . The dual surname was adopted in 1789 to secure an inheritance and appeared in formal documents , but in everyday life they were von Beneckendorffs . True to family tradition father supported his family as an infantry officer , he retired as a major . At age 11 Paul entered the Cadet Corps School at -LSB- Wahlstatt -RSB- -RSB- ( now Legnickie Pole Poland ) . At 16 he was transferred to the School in Berlin , at 18 he served as a page to the widow of King Frederick William IV of Prussia . Graduates entering the army were presented to King William I , who asked for their father 's name and rank . He became a second lieutenant in the Third Regiment of Foot Guards .