Rudolf von Jhering facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rudolf von Jhering
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| Born |
Caspar Rudolph Ritter von Jhering
22 August 1818 Aurich, Kingdom of Hanover, German Confederation
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| Died | 17 September 1892 (aged 74) |
| Spouse(s) | Ida Christina Frölich |
| Era | 19th-century philosophy |
| Region | Western philosophy |
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Main interests
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Philosophy of law |
Caspar Rudolph Jhering (born August 22, 1818, died September 17, 1892) was a very important German expert in law. He is famous for his book from 1872 called Der Kampf ums Recht, which means The Struggle for Law. Jhering was a smart legal scholar. He also started a new way of thinking about law. This new way looked at how society and history affect laws. His ideas helped shape how law developed in Germany later on.
Contents
Rudolf Jhering's Early Life and Studies
Rudolf Jhering was born on August 22, 1818, in a place called Aurich. This was in the Kingdom of Hanover. He started studying at the University of Heidelberg in 1836. He also went to other universities. These included Göttingen, Munich, and Berlin. He earned his PhD in Berlin in 1838. One of his teachers, Georg Friedrich Puchta, was very important to him.
Becoming a Professor and New Ideas
In 1844, Jhering finished his studies and became a doctor of law. He started teaching in Berlin. He taught about Roman law. He gave talks on the "Spirit of Roman Law." This topic became a big part of his life's work.
He became a full professor at different universities. In 1845, he was at the University of Basel. Then he taught at Rostock in 1846. He moved to Kiel in 1849 and Giessen in 1851. At each place, he made Roman law more interesting. He helped people see it in a new, lively way.
During this time, a famous legal scholar named Friedrich Carl von Savigny was very influential in Germany. Savigny's followers did not always agree with Jhering. Jhering wanted to create a legal system based on what felt fair and right. This idea was key to his famous book, Geist des römischen Rechts (The spirit of Roman law). This book was published between 1852 and 1865. Its fresh ideas and clear writing made him a leader among Roman law experts.
Jhering's Influence and Famous Works
In the second half of the 1800s, Jhering became as famous as Savigny. Their ways of thinking were very different. Savigny and his group focused on the history of law. Jhering believed that law should be used to help society. He thought it should improve people's lives and moral values.
In 1868, Jhering became a professor at the University of Vienna. His classes were very popular. Not only students came, but also people from many jobs and even high-ranking officials. In 1872, the Emperor of Austria, Franz Joseph I of Austria, gave him a special noble title.
Life in Vienna became too busy for him. So, Jhering was happy to move to Göttingen in 1872. There, he became a professor again. That same year, he gave a lecture in Vienna. It was published as Der Kampf um's Recht (The Struggle for Law). This book was a huge success. It was printed twelve times in two years. It was translated into 26 languages.
In this famous book, Jhering explained why it's important to protect your rights. He said that our rights are connected to who we are as people. They are part of our social value and our honor. If someone violates our rights, they are attacking our worth. He believed that every responsible person has a duty to stand up for their rights.
Five years later, he wrote Der Zweck im Recht (The Purpose in Law). This work showed how smart Jhering was. The Struggle for Law showed his strong character. It showed his sense of justice and his logical way of thinking about law.
One of his other great works was Jurisprudenz des täglichen Lebens (Jurisprudence of Daily Life), published in 1870. He also created "Praktika," which were problems in Roman law. He published a collection of these problems in 1847.
Jhering continued to work in Göttingen until he passed away on September 17, 1892. He also had short teaching positions at Leipzig and Heidelberg.
Jhering's Family and Legacy
Rudolf Jhering was married to Ida Christina Frölich. His oldest son, Hermann von Ihering, became a zoologist. He studied animals in Germany and Brazil. Rudolf Jhering was also the great-great-grandfather of the famous Australian singer and actress Olivia Newton-John. This connection came through his daughter, Helene Ehrenberg.
Jhering was recognized for his work by many. In 1874, he was chosen as a foreign member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences.
In October 2018, experts in Roman law from many countries celebrated 200 years since Jhering's birth.
Images for kids
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Flowers to commemorate Rudolf von Jhering 1818-2018
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Plaque at Jhering's birthplace in Aurich, Germany
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See also
- Victor Ehrenberg (jurist)
- Culpa in contrahendo
