Ernst Brenner Swiss politician, president Date of Birth: 09.12.1856 Country: Switzerland

1. Early Life and Education
2. Political Career in Basel
3. National Politics
4. Presidency of the National Council
5. Federal Council Member and Presidency
6. Legacy and Death

Early Life and Education

Eduard Brenner was born in Basel, Switzerland, into a family of textile merchants. He pursued law at the universities of Basel, Munich, and Leipzig. During his studies, Brenner affiliated with the student association Paedagogia Basiliensis and the student union Gold-Helvetia.

Political Career in Basel

After graduating, Brenner joined his uncle's law firm, where he worked from 1879 to 1884. In 1881, he entered politics by being elected to the Grand Council of Basel-Stadt. At the young age of 27 in 1884, he joined the Government of Basel-Stadt. Brenner held various positions within the government, including head of the Justice Department (1884-1896) and the Education Department (1896-1897). He also served as the canton's government head in 1887-1888 and 1894-1895.

National Politics

In 1887, Brenner was elected to the National Council. He became president of the Radical Democratic Party in 1896. From 1891 to 1897, he was a reserve member of the Federal Court. In 1895, Brenner was appointed by the Federal Council as the government representative on the Central Railway Council.

Presidency of the National Council

Brenner served as president of the National Council from June 4, 1894, to June 4, 1895.

Federal Council Member and Presidency

On March 25, 1897, Brenner became a member of the Federal Council, which governs Switzerland. He held several roles within the Federal Council, including Head of the Department of Justice and Police (1897-1900), Vice-President of Switzerland (1900 and 1907), Head of the Political Department (1901 and 1908), and President of Switzerland (1901 and 1908).

Legacy and Death

Brenner's most significant achievement was the introduction of a unified Civil Code, which was adopted in 1907 and entered into force in 1912. He also initiated the establishment of a new law on railway liability and played a role in the reorganization of the federal Supreme Court, the creation of an administrative court, and Switzerland's accession to the Hague Conventions.

Brenner received an honorary doctorate from the University of Basel in 1909. In the winter of 1911, while seeking treatment for diabetes and kidney disease on the French Riviera, he died of a stroke on March 11.