Rudolf Otto von Büren (born 19 September 1822 in

Bern german: Berner(in)french: Bernois(e) it, bernese , neighboring_municipalities = Bremgarten bei Bern, Frauenkappelen, Ittigen, Kirchlindach, Köniz, Mühleberg, Muri bei Bern, Neuenegg, Ostermundigen, Wohlen bei Bern, Zollikofen , website ...

- died 25 December 1888 in

) was a

Swiss Swiss may refer to: * the adjectival form of Switzerland * Swiss people Places * Swiss, Missouri * Swiss, North Carolina *Swiss, West Virginia * Swiss, Wisconsin Other uses *Swiss-system tournament, in various games and sports *Swiss Internation ...

politician A politician is a person active in party politics, or a person holding or seeking an elected office in government. Politicians propose, support, reject and create laws that govern the land and by an extension of its people. Broadly speaking, a ...

who served as the fourth

mayor In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor as well a ...

Personal life

Otto von Büren came from the patrician family von Büren. He followed education at private schools and followed further education at the university of Bern. He studied history and law in Bern and Neuchatel. He then spent a long time abroad and settled in the family castle on the family estate for a while. He married Henriette von Sinner.

Political career

Von Büren was a member of the Grand Council of the Canton of Bern from 1850 to 1864 and a member of the National Council (lower house of the federal parliament) from 1864 to 1884. He belonged to the Protestant conservative opposition and worked closely with the Catholic conservative opposition. For years he was the only conservative in the canton of Bern in the National Council. He opposed the (''Kulturkampf'') and was an opponent of the Poor Law, because he had always been in favor of private care for the poor. He also represented federal positions and stood against the Radical Party (forerunner of today's Liberal Democratic Party). He maintained friendly contacts with leading Roman Catholic politicians from Switzerland and the envoys of the conservative monarchies. He held numerous positions within the Reformed Church of

Switzerland ). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...

. His faith was a guideline for his charitable actions. From 1870 to 1871 he led the Swiss aid organization in support of the people of the besieged

Strasbourg Strasbourg (, , ; german: Straßburg ; gsw, label=Bas Rhin Alsatian, Strossburi , gsw, label=Haut Rhin Alsatian, Strossburig ) is the prefecture and largest city of the Grand Est region of eastern France and the official seat of the Eu ...

. He also held posts in the International Evangelical Alliance. Von Büren became Mayor (''Gemeindepräsident'') of

in 1864. He had built a new system of water and gas in the city of Bern during his time in office. In 1871 the name of ''Gemeindepräsident'' changed to ''Stadtpräsident''. He died in office on Christmas Day 1888 in

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Buren, Otto von Mayors of Bern 1822 births 1888 deaths

Personal life

Political career

See also

References