Escher, Hans Conrad

▪ Swiss statesman

born Aug. 24, 1767, Zürich

died March 9, 1823, Zürich

      Swiss scientist and politician who was president of the Great Council of the Helvetic Republic (1798–99) and who was an outspoken opponent of federalism. He directed the canalization of the Linth River.

      With his friend and political colleague Paul Usteri, Escher founded the Schweizer Republikaner, a journal of moderately reformist opinion. Elected to the parliament of the fledgling Helvetic Republic in 1798, he was named president of the Great Council in the autumn of that year. Although a supporter of cantonal autonomy, he continued to hold high offices throughout the successive struggles between partisans of centralization and advocates of cantonal independence.

      Following the reconstruction of the Swiss government by Napoleon (1803), Escher largely retired from the political arena but continued to participate in matters benefiting the public weal. He conceived the plan for canalization of the Linth River, the floodwaters of which frequently created pestiferous conditions, and superintended the subsequent canal construction (1808–22), later serving as a consultant for similar projects.

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