Prussian and German Politician. Born to Jewish parents, the family converted to Protestantism in 1823. After obtaining his doctor of laws degree in 1821, he became a professor at the University of Konigsberg. He was elected to the Frankfurt Parliament, serving as its first president from December 1848 until May 1849. He then retired from politics, and for the next few years devoted himself exclusively to his academical and judicial duties. It was not until 1859 that he re-entered public life, when he was elected deputy for Konigsberg in the lower chamber of the Prussian Landtag, of which he was president in 1860 and 1861. From 1867 until 1871 he served as president of the North German's Confederation Parliament In January 1871 Prussian King William I was proclaimed as German Emperor and Simpson became the 1st president of the Reichstag until 1874, when he retired from the position, and in 1877 resigned his seat in the parliament, but at Otto von Bismarck's urging, he accepted the presidency of the supreme court of justice (Reichsgericht) until he retired from public life in 1891. In 1888 he was awarded the Order of the Black Eagle by Kaiser Frederick III. He died at the age of 88.
Prussian and German Politician. Born to Jewish parents, the family converted to Protestantism in 1823. After obtaining his doctor of laws degree in 1821, he became a professor at the University of Konigsberg. He was elected to the Frankfurt Parliament, serving as its first president from December 1848 until May 1849. He then retired from politics, and for the next few years devoted himself exclusively to his academical and judicial duties. It was not until 1859 that he re-entered public life, when he was elected deputy for Konigsberg in the lower chamber of the Prussian Landtag, of which he was president in 1860 and 1861. From 1867 until 1871 he served as president of the North German's Confederation Parliament In January 1871 Prussian King William I was proclaimed as German Emperor and Simpson became the 1st president of the Reichstag until 1874, when he retired from the position, and in 1877 resigned his seat in the parliament, but at Otto von Bismarck's urging, he accepted the presidency of the supreme court of justice (Reichsgericht) until he retired from public life in 1891. In 1888 he was awarded the Order of the Black Eagle by Kaiser Frederick III. He died at the age of 88.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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