Arthur von Briesen (lawyer)

Arthur von Briesen (July 11, 1843 – May 13, 1920) was a lawyer and philanthropist.[1] He was president of the Legal Aid Society from 1889 to 1916.[2]

For the soldier see Arthur von Briesen
Arthur von Briesen
von Briesen in 1915
2nd President of the Legal Aid Society
In office
1889–1916
Succeeded byCharles Evans Hughes
Personal details
Born(1843-07-11)July 11, 1843
Borkendorf, Germany
DiedMay 13, 1920(1920-05-13) (aged 76)
Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal
Cause of deathHeart disease
Spouse(s)
Anna Goepel
​
(m. 1873)​
ResidenceStaten Island, New York

Biography

Briesen was born on July 11, 1843 in Borkendorf, Germany (now in Poland)[1] and migrated to the United States in 1858, at the age of 15.[3] In 1873 he married Anna Goepel.[1]

Briesen then began to study law, he enlisted and served as sergeant of Company B of the First New York Volunteers during the American Civil War. After the war, he finished his legal studies at the New York University School of Law and was admitted to the bar for New York state in 1868.[3]

He was president of the Legal Aid Society from 1890 to 1916. His support for Germany during World War I led to his resignation.[1][4] He was replaced by Charles Evans Hughes.[5]

Briesen died in Manhattan on May 13, 1920 at the Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal while waiting for the ferry to arrive, to commute to his summer house at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island.[1]

Legacy

His onetime summer estate adjoining Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island, New York City, is now Von Briesen Park, named for him.[6][3] His papers are archived at Princeton University.[7]

Footnotes
  1. "Arthur Von Briesen Dies In Ferry House. Lawyer and Philanthropist Stricken with Heart Disease on Way to Staten Island Home. Ex-Head Legal Aid Society. His Pro-German Sympathies Led to His Resignation During War After 25 Years' Services". The New York Times. May 14, 1920. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  2. "The History of the Legal Aid Society". Legal Aid Society. Archived from the original on 2013-11-11. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  3. "Arthur Von Briesen Park". City of New York Parks and Recreation. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  4. "Von Briesen Is Out As Legal Aid Head. Criticism Because of His German Name One Reason for Declining Re-election". The New York Times. February 26, 1915. Retrieved 2014-09-28.
  5. "Hughes Heads Legal Aid. Republican Candidate for President Succeeds Von Briesen". The New York Times. December 29, 1916. Retrieved 2014-09-28.
  6. Virginia N., Sherry (9 April 2019). "10 things to know about 'crown jewel' in Fort Wadsworth". SILive. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  7. "Arthur von Briesen Papers". Princeton University. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
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