Rudolf von Jhering

Rudolf von Jhering
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Name	Rudolf von Jhering
Birth date	August 22, 1818
Birth place	Aurich, Kingdom of Hanover
Death date	September 17, 1892
Death place	Göttingen, German Empire
School tradition	Historical School of Jurisprudence
Main interests	Jurisprudence, Roman Law, Contract Law

Rudolf von Jhering was a prominent German jurist and Roman Law scholar, known for his contributions to the Historical School of Jurisprudence and his works on Contract Law. He studied at the University of Heidelberg, University of Munich, and University of Berlin, where he was influenced by scholars such as Friedrich Carl von Savigny and Georg Friedrich Puchta. Von Jhering's academic career was marked by his appointments at the University of Basel, University of Rostock, University of Kiel, and University of Göttingen, where he interacted with notable figures like Otto von Gierke and Bernhard Windscheid. His research focused on the Corpus Juris Civilis, the Digest of Justinian I, and the Institutes of Gaius.

● Early Life and Education

Von Jhering was born in Aurich, Kingdom of Hanover, to a family of Noble descent, and his early life was shaped by the intellectual traditions of Germany and Europe. He attended the Gymnasium in Aurich and later studied at the University of Heidelberg, where he was exposed to the ideas of Immanuel Kant, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, and Friedrich Schiller. Von Jhering's education also took him to the University of Munich and University of Berlin, where he engaged with the works of Roman Law scholars like Friedrich Carl von Savigny and Bartolus de Saxoferrato. His academic pursuits were further influenced by the French Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars, and the Congress of Vienna, which shaped the European intellectual landscape.

● Career

Von Jhering's academic career spanned several decades and multiple institutions, including the University of Basel, University of Rostock, University of Kiel, and University of Göttingen. At these institutions, he interacted with notable scholars like Otto von Gierke, Bernhard Windscheid, and Rudolf Sohm, and contributed to the development of the Historical School of Jurisprudence. Von Jhering's research focused on Roman Law, particularly the Corpus Juris Civilis, the Digest of Justinian I, and the Institutes of Gaius. He also explored the connections between Roman Law and German Law, as well as the French Civil Code and the Napoleonic Code. Von Jhering's work was recognized by the Prussian Academy of Sciences and the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities.

● Major Works

Von Jhering's major works include Geist des römischen Rechts (The Spirit of Roman Law), Der Zweck im Recht (The Purpose of Law), and Schuld und Sühne (Guilt and Atonement). These works demonstrate his expertise in Roman Law and his ability to analyze complex legal concepts, such as Contract Law and Tort Law. Von Jhering's writings were influenced by the ideas of Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, and Hugo Grotius, and he engaged with the works of contemporary scholars like Jeremy Bentham and John Austin. His research also touched on the Justinian Corpus Juris Civilis and the Theodosian Code, which were central to the development of European Law.

● Influence and Legacy

Von Jhering's influence on Jurisprudence and Roman Law is still recognized today, with his works being studied by scholars at institutions like the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and Harvard University. His ideas have shaped the development of Contract Law and Tort Law in Germany, France, and other European countries. Von Jhering's legacy can also be seen in the work of scholars like Hans Kelsen, Carl Schmitt, and Hermann Heller, who built upon his research in Jurisprudence and Roman Law. The Institute of Roman Law at the University of Göttingen and the Roman Law Society at the University of London continue to promote the study of Roman Law and von Jhering's contributions to the field.

● Personal Life

Von Jhering's personal life was marked by his marriage to Hermina von Jhering and his friendships with notable figures like Otto von Bismarck and Theodor Mommsen. He was a member of the Prussian Academy of Sciences and the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities, and he received honors from the University of Göttingen and the University of Berlin. Von Jhering's life was also influenced by the Franco-Prussian War and the Unification of Germany, which shaped the European political landscape. He passed away on September 17, 1892, in Göttingen, German Empire, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most important German jurists of the 19th century, with connections to Vienna, Paris, and Rome. Category:19th-century German philosophers