Rudolf Otto von Büren (born 19 September 1822 in
Bern
Bern (), or Berne (), ; ; ; . is the ''de facto'' Capital city, capital of Switzerland, referred to as the "federal city".; ; ; . According to the Swiss constitution, the Swiss Confederation intentionally has no "capital", but Bern has gov ...
- died 25 December 1888 in
Bern
Bern (), or Berne (), ; ; ; . is the ''de facto'' Capital city, capital of Switzerland, referred to as the "federal city".; ; ; . According to the Swiss constitution, the Swiss Confederation intentionally has no "capital", but Bern has gov ...
) was a
Swiss
Swiss most commonly refers to:
* the adjectival form of Switzerland
* Swiss people
Swiss may also refer to: Places
* Swiss, Missouri
* Swiss, North Carolina
* Swiss, West Virginia
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Other uses
* Swiss Café, an old café located ...
politician
A politician is a person who participates in Public policy, policy-making processes, usually holding an elective position in government. Politicians represent the people, make decisions, and influence the formulation of public policy. The roles ...
who served as the fourth
mayor
In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a Municipal corporation, 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 responsibilitie ...
of
Bern
Bern (), or Berne (), ; ; ; . is the ''de facto'' Capital city, capital of Switzerland, referred to as the "federal city".; ; ; . According to the Swiss constitution, the Swiss Confederation intentionally has no "capital", but Bern has gov ...
.
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
The University of Bern (, , ) is a public university, public research university in the Switzerland, Swiss capital of Bern. It was founded in 1834. It is regulated and financed by the canton of Bern. It is a comprehensive university offering a br ...
. 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
Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a landlocked country located in west-central Europe. It is bordered by Italy to the south, France to the west, Germany to the north, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. Switzerland ...
. 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 ( , ; ; ) is the Prefectures in France, prefecture and largest city of the Grand Est Regions of France, region of Geography of France, eastern France, in the historic region of Alsace. It is the prefecture of the Bas-Rhin Departmen ...
. He also held posts in the International Evangelical Alliance.
Von Büren became Mayor (''Gemeindepräsident'') of
Bern
Bern (), or Berne (), ; ; ; . is the ''de facto'' Capital city, capital of Switzerland, referred to as the "federal city".; ; ; . According to the Swiss constitution, the Swiss Confederation intentionally has no "capital", but Bern has gov ...
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
Bern
Bern (), or Berne (), ; ; ; . is the ''de facto'' Capital city, capital of Switzerland, referred to as the "federal city".; ; ; . According to the Swiss constitution, the Swiss Confederation intentionally has no "capital", but Bern has gov ...
.
See also
*
List of mayors of Bern
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Buren, Otto von
Mayors of Bern
1822 births
1888 deaths
Members of the National Council (Switzerland) 1878–1881