Numa Droz

Numa Droz, born on January twenty-seventh, eighteen forty-four in La Chaux-de-Fonds, was a prominent Swiss politician, journalist, and writer. His political career began in earnest when he was elected to the cantonal government of Neuchâtel in eighteen seventy-one, followed by his election to the Swiss Council of States in eighteen seventy-two. Droz made history on December eighteenth, eighteen seventy-five, when he became the youngest member of the Swiss Federal Council at the age of thirty-one, serving until December thirty-first, eighteen ninety-two.

Affiliated with the Free Democratic Party of Switzerland, Droz held several key positions during his tenure, including the Department of Home Affairs from eighteen seventy-six to eighteen seventy-eight, and the Department of Foreign Affairs from eighteen eighty-eight to eighteen ninety-two. He was elected President of Switzerland in eighteen eighty-one and again in eighteen eighty-seven. Notably, in eighteen eighty-seven, he was considered for the role of civil governor of Crete, a position he ultimately declined.

Described as a man of progress, Droz played a significant role in the Berne Convention for the protection of literary and artistic works, which was concluded in eighteen eighty-six. His strong interest in copyright matters made him an admirable choice for presiding over the ALAI conferences. In eighteen ninety-eight, he proposed a railway over the Bernina Pass, a project that would be completed posthumously.

A radical democrat, Droz was known for his clashes with Bismarck, particularly during the Wohlgemuth Affair in eighteen eighty-nine. He passed away in Bern in eighteen ninety-nine, leaving behind a legacy that is honored in La Chaux-de-Fonds with a street named rue Numa-Droz and in Neuchâtel with a square named place Numa-Droz. A statue by Charles l'Eplattenier, which was erected near the station, is currently undergoing renovation and is set to be placed on Rue Numa-Droz in the autumn of two thousand twelve.