LIEBER, ERNST MARIA. – German statesman, born at Camberg (Nassau) on 16 November 1838, died there on 31 March 1902. He studied philosophy and law. In 1870 he became a member of the Chamber of Christian Deputies, and a year later a member of the Reichstag.
From 1891 he headed the Catholic Centre, thereby giving direction to the politics of German Catholics. His collaboration in social legislation was important, especially in the financial laws of 1896 (known as the L. laws). He was an ardent propagandist of Catholic movements (Volksverein) and of Catholic action in all social fields.
BIBL.: E. Fleig, s. V. in Staatslexikon, III, cols. 1002–1004.
Jaroslav Skarvada