The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Kopp, Georg

KOPP, kŏp, Georg, German cardinal and statesman: b. Duderstadt, 27 July 1837; d. 1914. He was the son of a poor weaver and attended the gymnasium at Hildesheim. In 1856 he became a telegraph operator in the employ of the Hanoverian government. From 1858 to 1861 he studied theology and in 1862 entered the priesthood. He rose rapidly in his profession and in 1872 was made vicar-general at Hildesheim and three years later bishop of Fulda. His reasonable ultramontanism was exercised in bringing about a better understanding between the German government and the papal curia. After his election to the House of Lords he obtained a mitigation of the harsh anti-Catholic provisions which characterized the May laws. In 1887, with the approval of the Prussian government, the Pope appointed him prince-bishop of Breslau, and in 1893 he was made cardinal.