Henry Senckenberg A famous German lawyer of the 18th century Date of Birth: 19.10.1704 Country: Germany

1. Birth and Early Legal Education
2. Professional Career
3. Imperial Counselor and Elevate Status
4. Family and Legacy
5. Scholarly Contributions

Birth and Early Legal Education

Heinrich Christian von Senckenberg was born into a family of jurists in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. He embarked on his legal studies at the University of Gießen and later honed his skills in Frankfurt under the tutelage of Johann Philipp Orth, a renowned expert in urban law.

Professional Career

In 1729, Senckenberg became an advocate in Frankfurt. However, the following year, he entered the service of Count Karl von Dhaun, Count of Wild and Rhine. It was during this period that he published his first scholarly work, "Selecta juris," a historical study of legal texts.

In 1735, Senckenberg was appointed Professor of Jurisprudence at the newly founded University of Göttingen, where he also earned a Doctorate of Philosophy in 1738. He subsequently returned to Gießen in 1738 and eventually settled back in Frankfurt following the early death of his first wife in 1744.

Imperial Counselor and Elevate Status

Upon the coronation of Francis I, Senckenberg was elevated to the position of Imperial Aulic Councilor in Frankfurt. He later relocated to Vienna, where he rose to prominence, earning the title of Imperial Baron in 1751. Throughout his career, he served as a trusted advisor to the Imperial Vice-Chancellor.

Despite his residence in Vienna, Senckenberg maintained an active role in Frankfurt politics, visiting his hometown only twice in his later years for medical treatment and the coronation of Emperor Joseph II.

Family and Legacy

Heinrich Christian von Senckenberg married twice, and by his second wife, Sophie Elisabeth von Palm, he had two sons: Renat Leopold Christian Karl von Senckenberg (1751-1800) and Karl Christian Heinrich von Senckenberg (1760-1842). Neither son left any descendants, so the Senckenberg lineage ended with the death of the younger son.

Scholarly Contributions

Senckenberg authored numerous works of significant historical and legal value. His most famous publications include:

- "Selecta juris et historiarum tum anecdota tum jam edita et rariora" (Frankfurt, 1734-1742)

- "Corpus juris feudalis Germanici" (1740), a comprehensive collection of German and Longobard feudal law

- "Corpus juris Germanici publici ac privati hactenus ineditum" (1760-1766)

- "Gedanken von dem jeder Zeit lebhaften Gebrauche des uralten teutschen b?rgerlichen u. Staatsrechts in den nachherigen Reichsgesetzen u. Gewohnheiten" (1759)

Senckenberg also collaborated with E.A. Koch to publish a collection of decisions made by the Imperial Diet entitled "Neuere und vollst?ndigere Sammlung der Reichsabschiede."