Thomas Ammer (born 19 July 1937 in Eisenberg) is a German historian who as a young man studied to become a physician.Anti-government political activism in East Germany led to his arrest and imprisonment in 1958, and he never qualified as a medical doctor.
His 15-year prison sentence was cut short in August 1964 when his release was purchased by the West German government, and at the age of 27 he relocated to the German Federal Republic.