This work looks at the Philipps-Universität, Marburg, an institution influenced by national conservatism in the first half of the 20th century, in a study of the functionality and continuity of an academic elite spanning different political systems. The essays address questions concerning the institution's history, biographies and history of methods in disciplines heavily influenced by ideology, such as German studies, art history, musicology and European ethnology. Particular attention has been paid to the connection between academic work, membership in parties and organizations, political activities and careers of those at the university.