Wilhelm Oechsli

Wilhelm Oechsli ( born October 6, 1851 in Riesbachstrasse (now Zurich ), † April 26, 1919 in Weggis ) was a Swiss historian.

Life

Oechsli first studied theology, then history at the universities of Berlin and Zurich, among others, Theodor Mommsen. In 1874 he completed his studies with a doctorate and in 1876 teacher at the Cantonal School in Winterthur. In 1887 he went to the newly created Chair of History at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich and worked from 1893 also at the University of Zurich. As a history Oechsli scientists argued for a high value of the source study and the questioning of traditional myths and legends. His main works are the former standard work on the origins of the Swiss Confederation and a two-volume, very close to the written sources of history of Switzerland in the 19th century.

The estate of William Oechsli found in the Zurich Central Library. He was buried in the cemetery Fluntern.

Works (selection)

• History of Switzerland in the Nineteenth Century. 2 vols S. Hirzel, Leipzig 1903/1973.
• Festschrift to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Federal Polytechnic with an overview of its development. 2 vols Huber & Co., Frauenfeld 1905.
• The beginnings of the Swiss Confederation to the sixth secular celebration of the first eternal covenant dated 1 August from 1291. Posted on behalf of the Swiss Federal Council by W. Oechsli. Ulrich, Zurich 1891.