Corresponding Secretary for Switzerland who presided over the International's Geneva, Brussels and Basel congresses
A watchmaker from Saint-Imier in Switzerland, he took part in the German revolution of 1848–1849 and then emigrated to London. There he joined the International Workingmen's Association, serving on the General Council and as Corresponding Secretary for Switzerland from 1864 to 1872, and presided over the congresses at Geneva (1866), Brussels (1868) and Basel (1869) and the London Conference of 1871. At first a follower of Marx, after the Hague Congress of 1872 he sided with the British Federal Council and the British trade union leaders against centralisation. He withdrew from the labour movement after 1877 and died in London in 1901.
Activities and affiliations
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1864–1872
International Workingmen's Association (First International)Main
Social movements and organizing
Career Timeline
- 1864–1872Member of the General Council and Corresponding Secretary for Switzerland
- 1866Presided over the Geneva Congress
- 1868Presided over the Brussels Congress
- 1869Presided over the Basel Congress
- 1871Presided over the London Conference