Hans Ernest Unger

Unger was born in Prenzlau, Germany on 8 August 1915.^[1][2] His father was a lawyer, and Hans studied medicine in Berlin until 1933 when Hitler became Chancellor.^[3]

From 1934 to 1935, Unger studied poster design in Jupp Wiertz's studio in Berlin.^[4] As he was of Jewish heritage, Unger left Nazi Germany and moved to South Africa in 1936.^[1] He worked for the Cape Times, and won two poster competitions in South Africa, for the Post Office and the Port Elizabeth Travel Association.^[3]

During the Second World War, he joined the South African Army, and in 1942 was taken prisoner in Tobruk, Libya.^[1] He escaped from a prisoner of war camp in northern Italy, and crossed the Pyrenees to Spain and thence Portugal, but lost several toes from frostbite.^[1] In 1944, he was awarded the Military Medal.^[1]

In 1948, he moved to London and became a British citizen. As a designer, he worked extensively for London Transport, and the General Post Office and other companies.^[1]

Unger did not have any children himself, but was a close friend of fellow poster artist Abram Games, whose children called him "Uncle".^[3] He died in London in 1975.^[2]

His work is in the permanent collections of the V&A,^[5] and the London Transport Museum.^[1]