LIEBER, ERNST MARIA. — German statesman, b. at Camberg (Nassau) on 16 Nov. 1838, d. there on 31 March 1902. He studied philosophy and law. In 1870 he became a member of the Chamber of Deputies of the Christian Democrats, and a year later a member of the Reichstag.
From 1891 he was leader of the Centre Party (Zentrum), and in that capacity set the tone for the policy of German Catholics. Important was his collaboration in social legislation, especially in the financial laws of 1896 (known as the L. laws). He was a zealous promoter of Catholic movements (Volksverein) and of Catholic action in all social spheres.
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Bibl.:** E. Fleig, s. V. in Staatslexikon, III, cols. 1903-1904. Jaroslav Skarvald.