Lassa Oppenheim

Lassa Oppenheim was a renowned German international law scholar who made significant contributions to the field of public international law. He is best known for his work on The League of Nations, Hague Conventions, and Geneva Conventions. Oppenheim's work was heavily influenced by Hugo Grotius, John Westlake, and Thomas Erskine Holland. He was also associated with the Institute of International Law, International Committee of the Red Cross, and American Society of International Law.

● Early Life and Education

Lassa Oppenheim was born in Winningen, Prussia, to a family of Jewish descent. He studied law at the University of Berlin, University of Heidelberg, and University of Kiel, where he was influenced by Rudolf von Jhering and Friedrich von Martens. Oppenheim also spent time at the University of Paris, where he was exposed to the works of Gustave Moynier and Frédéric Passy. He later became a lecturer at the University of Freiburg, University of Basel, and London School of Economics, where he taught alongside Harold Laski and Graham Wallas.

● Career

Oppenheim's career was marked by his appointment as a lecturer at the London School of Economics in 1895, where he taught international law and diplomacy. He was also a member of the Institute of International Law, International Law Association, and American Society of International Law. Oppenheim worked closely with James Bryce, Elihu Root, and Andrew Carnegie to promote the development of international law. He was also involved in the Hague Peace Conferences, where he met with Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and David Lloyd George.

● Major Works

Oppenheim's most notable work is his two-volume treatise on International Law, which was first published in 1905 and later revised in 1912. He also wrote extensively on The Future of International Law, The League of Nations, and The Conduct of Hostilities. Oppenheim's work was influenced by Immanuel Kant, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and John Stuart Mill. He was also familiar with the works of Carl Schmitt, Hans Kelsen, and Georges Scelle. Oppenheim's writings were widely read by Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky, and Mahatma Gandhi.

● Influence and Legacy

Oppenheim's work had a significant impact on the development of public international law. He was a key figure in the establishment of the League of Nations, and his work influenced the drafting of the Covenant of the League of Nations. Oppenheim's ideas were also influential in the development of the United Nations, where he worked with Trygve Halvdan Lie and Dag Hammarskjöld. He was also associated with the International Court of Justice, European Court of Human Rights, and International Committee of the Red Cross. Oppenheim's legacy can be seen in the work of Hersch Lauterpacht, Ian Brownlie, and Joseph Weiler.

● Personal Life

Lassa Oppenheim was married to Margaret Oppenheim, and they had two children together. He was a close friend of Alfred Zimmern and Gilbert Murray, and he was also acquainted with Bertrand Russell and G.E. Moore. Oppenheim was a member of the Fabian Society and the Society of Friends. He died on October 7, 1919, in Cambridge, England, and was buried in the Cambridge City Cemetery. Oppenheim's work continues to be studied by scholars at the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, and London School of Economics. Category:International law scholars