Background
Born in Bischofszell, as son of Kaspar, a dealer, and of Elizabeth Sprüngli.
Born in Bischofszell, as son of Kaspar, a dealer, and of Elizabeth Sprüngli.
Studies of theology in Zurich (finished in 1832), then of philology and philosophy in Berlin, Jena and Paris.
He examined also the Codex Vaticanus in the Vatican Library. He became private-docent in the University of Bern (1864), and professor of theology in Lausanne (1869). Doctor honoris causa of the faculty of theology of the University of Zurich (1849).