Ernst von Bodelschwingh-Velmede
Encyclopedia
Ernst von Bodelschwingh-Velmede (November 26, 1794 May 18, 1854) was a Prussia
n statesman and politician.
Von Bodelschwingh-Velmede was born in Velmede near Hamm
in the County of Mark. He studied Law
and Cameralism at the University of Berlin and the University of Göttingen. He participated in the Freiheitskriege ("liberty wars"), and at Leipzig
earned the Iron Cross
first class; he was heavily wounded at Freiburg
on October 21, 1813. He subsequently completed his studies at the University of Berlin, and in 1817 entered government service. From 1822 he was an administrator (Landrat) of Kreis Tecklenburg in Westphalia
, from 1831 president of the Regierungsbezirk of Trier
, and from November 1834 Oberpräsident of the Rhine Province
, in which he served during a turbulent time.
In 1842, von Bodelschwingh-Velmede became Finance Minister of Prussia, and Interior Minister
in 1845. In 1847, he attempted to lead the United Diet (Vereinigter Landtag), but failed. He did not sympathize with the Revolutions of 1848
, and on March 19 resigned to enter the Prussian Abgeordnetenhaus (lower house), first in January 1849 and again after a new electoral law was imposed in 1849. He was later elected to the Erfurt
city council as well. In the Prussian legislature he supported the Unionpolitik of the government. In the legislative session from 1850 to 1851 he was leader of the Zentrumspartei. In 1852 he was appointed president of the Regierungsbezirk of Arnsberg
. He died in 1854 while on an official trip to Medebach
.
His brother, Karl von Bodelschwingh-Velmede
, was also active in Prussian politics.
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
n statesman and politician.
Von Bodelschwingh-Velmede was born in Velmede near Hamm
Hamm
Hamm is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia , Germany. It is located in the northeastern part of the Ruhr area. As of December 2003 its population was 180,849. The city is situated between the A1 motorway and A2 motorway...
in the County of Mark. He studied Law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
and Cameralism at the University of Berlin and the University of Göttingen. He participated in the Freiheitskriege ("liberty wars"), and at Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
earned the Iron Cross
Iron Cross
The Iron Cross is a cross symbol typically in black with a white or silver outline that originated after 1219 when the Kingdom of Jerusalem granted the Teutonic Order the right to combine the Teutonic Black Cross placed above a silver Cross of Jerusalem....
first class; he was heavily wounded at Freiburg
Freiburg
Freiburg im Breisgau is a city in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. In the extreme south-west of the country, it straddles the Dreisam river, at the foot of the Schlossberg. Historically, the city has acted as the hub of the Breisgau region on the western edge of the Black Forest in the Upper Rhine Plain...
on October 21, 1813. He subsequently completed his studies at the University of Berlin, and in 1817 entered government service. From 1822 he was an administrator (Landrat) of Kreis Tecklenburg in Westphalia
Westphalia
Westphalia is a region in Germany, centred on the cities of Arnsberg, Bielefeld, Dortmund, Minden and Münster.Westphalia is roughly the region between the rivers Rhine and Weser, located north and south of the Ruhr River. No exact definition of borders can be given, because the name "Westphalia"...
, from 1831 president of the Regierungsbezirk of Trier
Trier (region)
Trier was one of the three Regierungsbezirke of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, located in the west of the state.The region was created in 1815 as part of the Prussian Rhineland. Before World War I parts of Saarland were administered within Regierungsbezirk Trier...
, and from November 1834 Oberpräsident of the Rhine Province
Rhine Province
The Rhine Province , also known as Rhenish Prussia or synonymous to the Rhineland , was the westernmost province of the Kingdom of Prussia and the Free State of Prussia, within the German Reich, from 1822-1946. It was created from the provinces of the Lower Rhine and Jülich-Cleves-Berg...
, in which he served during a turbulent time.
In 1842, von Bodelschwingh-Velmede became Finance Minister of Prussia, and Interior Minister
Interior Minister of Prussia
This page lists Prussian Ministers of the Interior. See also Interior Ministers of Germany.-Prussian Ministers of the Interior, 1808-1918:*Count Alexander von Dohna-Schlobitten 1808-1810*Count Karl August von Hardenberg 1810-1814...
in 1845. In 1847, he attempted to lead the United Diet (Vereinigter Landtag), but failed. He did not sympathize with the Revolutions of 1848
Revolutions of 1848 in the German states
The Revolutions of 1848 in the German states, also called the March Revolution – part of the Revolutions of 1848 that broke out in many countries of Europe – were a series of loosely coordinated protests and rebellions in the states of the German Confederation, including the Austrian Empire...
, and on March 19 resigned to enter the Prussian Abgeordnetenhaus (lower house), first in January 1849 and again after a new electoral law was imposed in 1849. He was later elected to the Erfurt
Erfurt
Erfurt is the capital city of Thuringia and the main city nearest to the geographical centre of Germany, located 100 km SW of Leipzig, 150 km N of Nuremberg and 180 km SE of Hannover. Erfurt Airport can be reached by plane via Munich. It lies in the southern part of the Thuringian...
city council as well. In the Prussian legislature he supported the Unionpolitik of the government. In the legislative session from 1850 to 1851 he was leader of the Zentrumspartei. In 1852 he was appointed president of the Regierungsbezirk of Arnsberg
Arnsberg (region)
Arnsberg is one of the five Regierungsbezirke of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, located in the south-east of the country. It covers the Sauerland hills as well as the east part of the Ruhr area....
. He died in 1854 while on an official trip to Medebach
Medebach
Medebach is a town in the Hochsauerland district, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.-Geography:Medebach is situated approx. 15 km east of Winterberg, 17 km south-west of Korbach and 45 km north of Marburg.- Neighbouring municipalities:...
.
His brother, Karl von Bodelschwingh-Velmede
Karl von Bodelschwingh-Velmede
Karl von Bodelschwingh-Velmede was a Prussian politician.Von Bodelschwingh-Velmede was born in Velmede, near Hamm in the County of Mark...
, was also active in Prussian politics.