Carl Georg von Wächter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carl Georg von Wächter
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| 2nd President of the Oberappellationsgericht der vier Freien Städte | |
| In office 1851–1852 |
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| Preceded by | Georg Arnold Heise |
| Succeeded by | Johann Friedrich Kierulff |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Carl Joseph Georg Sigismund Wächter
24 December 1797 Marbach am Neckar, Electorate of Württemberg, Holy Roman Empire |
| Died | 15 January 1880 (aged 82) Leipzig, Kingdom of Saxony, German Empire |
| Children | Oskar von Wächter |
Carl Georg von Wächter (born December 24, 1797 – died January 15, 1880) was a very important German lawyer and judge in the 1800s. He was known for his deep knowledge of law. For a short time, he was the head judge of a special high court for four free cities in Germany.
Contents
Carl Georg von Wächter's Life
Early Years and School
Carl Georg Wächter was born on December 24, 1797, in Marbach am Neckar, a town in Germany. His family had a long history of working for the government in Württemberg. He was one of nine children and the only son. His father, Johann Eberhard von Wächter, was also a lawyer.
Carl went to a Latin school and then a high school in Stuttgart. In 1815, he decided to study law. At first, he wanted to study medicine, but his father hoped he would study theology. In the end, King Frederick I of Württemberg decided for him. The King said Carl should study law because his father was a lawyer.
University Studies
On April 8, 1815, Carl began studying law at the University of Tübingen. Back then, students usually couldn't study in other German states. But in 1817, this rule changed. Carl spent a semester at Heidelberg University to learn from famous professors there. After that, he returned to Tübingen.
In December 1818, Carl passed his first state examination (a big test to become a lawyer) with an "Excellent" grade.
Becoming a Professor
In 1819, Carl became a junior judge (called an assessor) in Esslingen am Neckar. But soon after, on August 13, 1819, he became an associate professor of law at the University of Tübingen. By 1822, he was a full professor and had earned his Doctor of Law degree.
From 1825 to 1833, Wächter taught law at the University of Tübingen. He also served as the head of the university (called rector and vice-chancellor) from 1825 to 1828.
Moving to Leipzig
From 1833 to 1835, Carl taught at Leipzig University. He then returned to Tübingen and became the Chancellor of that university from 1835 to 1851. As Chancellor, he was also a member of the Württemberg Chamber of Deputies, which was part of the state parliament. He even became its President from 1839 to 1848. The city of Tübingen made him an honorary citizen.
In 1851, Wächter moved to Lübeck. There, he became the president of the Oberappellationsgericht der vier Freien Städte. This was a very important court for four independent German cities.
In 1852, Wächter went back to Leipzig University as a law professor. The King of Saxony made him a member of the State Council in 1855. He was also the Rector of Leipzig University from 1858 to 1860. In 1859, the city of Leipzig made him an honorary citizen.
Important Contributions
In 1860, Carl helped start the Deutscher Juristentag, which was a big meeting for German lawyers. He was chosen as its first president and was re-elected five times. In 1867, he was elected to the parliament of the North German Confederation. In 1869, he was given the title of "privy councillor," which meant he was a senior advisor to the King. He was also given a special title of nobility.
During his lifetime, many people called Wächter "the greatest German lawyer of all time." He passed away on January 15, 1880, in Leipzig. He was buried on a manor (a large country estate) that his youngest son had bought.
Family Life
In 1822, Carl married Johanne Emilie Baumeister. They had two sons and two daughters. Their older son, Oskar von Wächter (1825–1902), also became a lawyer and politician. He wrote a book about his father's life. Their younger son, Karl Alfred von Wächter, bought a manor house in Röcknitz, Saxony.
Honours and Awards
Carl Georg von Wächter received many awards and honours during his life and after his death:
- 1835: He received the Knight's Cross of the Order of the Württemberg Crown, which gave him personal nobility.
- 1836: He was made an honorary citizen of the city of Tübingen.
- 1839: He received the Commander's Cross of the Order of the Württemberg Crown.
- 1859: He was made an honorary citizen of the city of Leipzig.
- 1861: He received the Bavarian Order of Maximilian for Science and Art.
- 1879: He was given a special title of nobility that could be passed down in his family in the Kingdom of Saxony.
- 1884: A street in Leipzig was named Wächterstraße after him.
- 1887: The city of Leipzig created the "Karl-Georg-von-Wächtersche Stiftung" (Karl Georg von Wächter Foundation). This foundation used interest from money to pay for a scholarship for students.
- 1904: Another street, this time in Dresden, was also named Wächterstraße after him.
