Pathetic Facts

Swiss musicians died at 77

Here are 25 famous musicians from Switzerland died at 77:

Charles Édouard Guillaume

Charles Édouard Guillaume (February 15, 1861 Fleurier-May 13, 1938 Sèvres) was a Swiss physicist.

Guillaume is best known for his discovery of the phenomenon of "invar" or invariance, a property of some alloys that allows them to resist thermal expansion. This led to the creation of invar alloys which were used in high-precision instruments such as pendulum clocks and measuring devices.

In recognition of his work on invar, Guillaume was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1920, becoming the first Swiss to receive the prize. He also received several other honors during his lifetime, including the Matteucci Medal and the Rumford Medal.

Guillaume held several important positions throughout his career, including director of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures in Sèvres, France, and professor at the University of Paris. He was also a member of the French Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society of London.

Aside from his work on invar, Guillaume made significant contributions to the fields of metrology and thermodynamics. He is remembered as one of the most important experimental physicists of the early 20th century.

Felix Bloch

Felix Bloch (October 23, 1905 Zürich-September 10, 1983 Zürich) was a Swiss physicist and scientist.

He is best known for his work in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, which has been widely used in chemistry, physics, and medicine to study molecular structures and behavioral mechanisms. Bloch’s early work on nuclear induction in solids paved the way for the development of modern MRI machines used today in medical imaging. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1952 alongside Edward Purcell for their discoveries in NMR. Bloch also contributed significantly to the field of quantum mechanics and condensed matter physics, studying the behavior of electrons in metals and discovering the Bloch wave function, a fundamental concept in solid-state physics. Throughout his career, Bloch worked at several institutions, including Stanford University, the University of Leipzig, and the Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule, where he was appointed professor in 1934.

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Johann Stumpf

Johann Stumpf (April 23, 1500 Bruchsal-April 5, 1578 Zürich) was a Swiss writer.

He was born in Bruchsal, Germany, but he spent most of his life in Switzerland, particularly in Zurich where he became a citizen in 1542. In addition to being a writer, Stumpf was also a Protestant theologian and cartographer. He is best known for his work on Swiss history, titled "Schweizer Chronik," which was published in 1548. The book is an account of Swiss history from its mythical origins to the beginning of the Reformation. In addition to his historical work, Stumpf also wrote poetry and hymns. He was an important figure in the Swiss Reformation and is remembered for his contribution to Swiss literature and culture.

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Leonhard Ragaz

Leonhard Ragaz (July 28, 1868 Tamins-December 6, 1945 Zürich) was a Swiss personality.

He was a Christian theologian, pastor, writer, and social activist who advocated for pacifism and international disarmament. Ragaz was a leader in the Swiss Peace Movement, and in 1919 he founded the International Fellowship of Reconciliation, an organization dedicated to promoting nonviolence and conflict resolution. Throughout his career, he repeatedly drew attention to the human costs of war and the importance of finding peaceful solutions to conflict. Ragaz was also involved in the Swiss labor movement, campaigning for workers' rights and advocating for improvements in working conditions. Despite facing opposition from many conservative groups, he remained committed to his principles throughout his life, earning him widespread respect as a humanitarian and social reformer.

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Felix Plater

Felix Plater (October 28, 1536 Basel-July 28, 1614) was a Swiss physician.

He is known for his contributions in the field of anatomy and pathology. Plater studied medicine at the University of Basel and later became a professor of medicine at the same university. In his work, he emphasized the importance of the study of the human body through dissection and was one of the early advocates for the use of illustrations in medical texts.

Plater also made important observations on mental illness, describing symptoms of what is now known as schizophrenia. He published several major works including "Observationes Anatomicae" and "Praxeos Medicae", which remained popular and influential for centuries after his death.

Aside from his work in medicine, Plater was also interested in philosophy and natural history. He believed that a thorough understanding of the natural world was essential to the practice of medicine. Plater is remembered as an important figure in the history of medicine, particularly for his contributions to the study of anatomy and pathology.

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Augustin Keller

Augustin Keller (November 10, 1805 Sarmenstorf-January 8, 1883 Aarau) was a Swiss politician.

He was a member of the Radical Party of Switzerland and served as a member of the National Council of Switzerland from 1849 to 1871. Keller was also the President of the National Council from 1862 to 1863. Additionally, he was a member of the government of the Canton of Aargau from 1841 to 1871, serving as State Councilor from 1841 to 1856 and as the Cantonal President from 1857 to 1861. Throughout his political career, Keller advocated for liberal reforms, including the abolition of the cantonal militia and the introduction of a federal army for Switzerland. In his later years, he focused on archaeological research and published several papers on the subject.

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Heinz Schiller

Heinz Schiller (January 25, 1930 Frauenfeld-March 26, 2007 Geneva) was a Swiss race car driver.

Schiller competed in various motorsport events during the 1950s and 1960s, including the Formula One World Championship. He made his Formula One debut in the 1953 Swiss Grand Prix driving a privately entered Ferrari. Schiller also competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, winning the Index of Performance in 1967 driving a Porsche 910. After his racing career ended, he became a successful businessman in Geneva.

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Robert Pache

Robert Pache (September 26, 1897 Switzerland-December 31, 1974) was a Swiss personality.

He was a businessman and art collector who made his fortune in the textile industry. Pache was known for his philanthropic efforts and contributions to the arts. He founded the Robert Pache Foundation, which later became the Pache-Stiftung, to support cultural institutions and provide funding for artistic projects in Switzerland. Additionally, Pache was an active supporter of the Swiss Red Cross and served as a member of several cultural and scientific organizations. In recognition of his contributions, Pache was awarded the Order of Merit of the Swiss Confederation.

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Rudolf Wolf

Rudolf Wolf (July 7, 1816 Fällanden-December 6, 1893 Zürich) was a Swiss personality.

He was an astronomer and mathematician best known for his work on sunspot prediction and the study of solar activity. Wolf is credited with creating the "Wolf number" which is still used today to measure sunspot activity. In addition to his work on astronomy, Wolf was also an accomplished linguist and worked as a professor of mathematics at the University of Zurich for 30 years. He also served as director of the Zurich Observatory for 16 years. Wolf's contributions to the field of astronomy were widely recognized during his lifetime and he was awarded several prestigious awards and honors including the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society. Today, Wolf's legacy continues through the work of modern-day astronomers who still use his methods and theories to study the sun and its effects on Earth's climate.

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Johann Georg Bodmer

Johann Georg Bodmer (December 6, 1786 Zürich-May 29, 1864 Zürich) was a Swiss inventor.

He is best known for his invention of the breech-loading rifle, which greatly improved the efficiency and accuracy of firearms. His design was eventually adopted by the Swiss military and became known as the "Zurich pattern" rifle.

Beyond his work on firearms, Bodmer was also an accomplished engineer and inventor. He held several patents for machinery and tools, including a hydraulic press and a carding machine. He was a successful businessman and owned several factories and mills in Switzerland.

Bodmer was a prominent member of the Swiss scientific community and was elected to several prestigious societies, including the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He was also dedicated to civic life in his hometown of Zurich and served on the city council for many years.

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René Thury

René Thury (August 7, 1860 Geneva-April 23, 1938 Geneva) was a Swiss personality.

He is best known for his contributions in the field of electricity and power transmission. Thury was the inventor of the Thury system of high-voltage electrical transmission, which used alternating current at very high voltages to reduce energy loss over long distances. He founded the International Federation of the National Standardizing Associations in 1926 and served as its first president. Thury was also instrumental in the creation of the International Electrotechnical Commission in 1906, and he served as its first president. In addition to his work in electricity, Thury was also a successful businessman and philanthropist. He supported various social causes and scientific research projects throughout his life.

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Le Corbusier

Le Corbusier (October 6, 1887 La Chaux-de-Fonds-August 27, 1965 Roquebrune-Cap-Martin) otherwise known as Charles-Edouard Jeanneret or Charles-Edouard Jeanneret-Gris was a Swiss architect, visual artist, urban planner, designer and writer.

Le Corbusier was one of the most influential architects and designers of the twentieth century. He was a pioneer of modern architecture and was known for his innovative use of materials such as reinforced concrete and steel. Some of his most famous buildings include the Villa Savoye in Poissy, France, the Unité d'Habitation in Marseille, France, and the Chandigarh Capitol Complex in India.

In addition to his architectural work, Le Corbusier was also a prolific writer and his ideas about architecture and urban planning had a major impact on the field. He authored several books including "Towards a New Architecture" and "The City of Tomorrow and Its Planning".

Le Corbusier was also a talented painter and sculptor and his work often explored themes related to his architectural ideas. Despite his many accomplishments, Le Corbusier's legacy remains controversial due to his association with authoritarian regimes such as the Vichy government in France and his support for urban planning that displaced lower-income residents.

He died in drowning.

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Georg Friedrich Heilmann

Georg Friedrich Heilmann (May 5, 1785-July 24, 1862) was a Swiss personality.

Georg Friedrich Heilmann was a Swiss personality who made significant contributions to the field of Protestant missionary work. Heilmann was born on May 5, 1785, in Basel, Switzerland. He was a highly educated individual and received his theological education at the Basel Mission Seminary. He became an ordained pastor and dedicated his life to working as a missionary, spreading the word of Christianity across various countries. Heilmann also authored a number of works on Christianity, including the popular book, "The Christian Life." In addition to his missionary work, Heilmann was also involved in social and educational initiatives. He founded several schools and orphanages in the countries he worked in, providing education and support to underprivileged children. Heilmann continued his missionary work until his death on July 24, 1862. His legacy, as a prominent figure in the field of Protestant missionary work, continues to live on to this day.

Hans Gmür

Hans Gmür (February 1, 1927 Chur-April 15, 2004 Nottwil) also known as Hans Gmur was a Swiss screenwriter.

Hans Gmür is best known for his work on the film "Mani Matter", which was released in 1972. He wrote the screenplay for the film, which tells the story of the Swiss songwriter and musician Mani Matter. Gmür also worked on several other films throughout his career, including "Von Zeit zu Zeit" (1979) and "Die Geschwister Oppermann" (1983).

In addition to his work as a screenwriter, Gmür was also a writer and journalist. He worked for the Swiss daily newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung for many years, and also wrote several books, including a biography of the Swiss writer and painter Niklaus Stoecklin.

Gmür was widely respected in Switzerland for his contributions to Swiss culture and society. He was awarded the Swiss Literature Prize in 1995, and in 2003 he received the Swiss Film Prize for his lifetime achievement in Swiss cinema.

He died caused by surgical complications.

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Heinrich Schmid

Heinrich Schmid (April 6, 1921 Zürich-February 23, 1999 Zürich) was a Swiss personality.

Heinrich Schmid was a Swiss entrepreneur and philanthropist, who made a name for himself in the construction and real estate industry. He was the founder and owner of Heinrich Schmid AG, a construction and painting company that became one of the largest of its kind in Switzerland. Schmid played an instrumental role in the post-war rebuilding of Switzerland, and his company was responsible for the construction of several important buildings and infrastructure projects across the country.

Aside from his business pursuits, Heinrich Schmid was a devoted philanthropist who supported a variety of social and cultural causes throughout his life. He established the Heinrich Schmid Foundation, which aimed to promote education, science, and the arts in Switzerland, and he also supported various human rights organizations and environmental initiatives. Schmid was widely respected in the Swiss business community for his integrity, hard work, and commitment to making a positive impact on society.

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Heinrich Zschokke

Heinrich Zschokke (March 22, 1771 Magdeburg-June 27, 1848 Aarau) was a Swiss writer.

He is best known for his work as a reformer, educator, journalist, and politician. After moving to Switzerland at the age of fifteen, Zschokke became involved in education and began writing literature focusing on education and social issues. He also served as a member of the Swiss government for a time and worked to implement reforms in areas such as education and law. Zschokke's writings included works of fiction as well as historical and philosophical works. His work had a significant impact on Swiss literature and culture, and he is considered to be one of the most important Swiss writers of the 19th century.

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Herbert Ernst Groh

Herbert Ernst Groh (May 27, 1905 Lucerne-July 28, 1982 Norderstedt) was a Swiss personality.

He was a prolific artist, author, and theatre director. Groh attended art school in Berlin and later studied theater in Munich. He spent most of his career in Germany, working as a stage director and set designer for various theater companies.

During World War II, Groh's pacifist beliefs led him to become part of the German resistance movement. He was arrested by the Nazis in 1944 and sent to a concentration camp, where he remained until the war ended.

After the war, he returned to Switzerland and continued his artistic and literary pursuits. Groh was a founding member of the literary group Gruppe Olten and wrote several books, including his memoirs about his time in the concentration camp.

In addition to his artistic work, Groh was also an advocate for social justice and peaceful coexistence. He participated in various human rights campaigns and was a vocal critic of the nuclear arms race.

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Jakob Künzler

Jakob Künzler (March 8, 1871 Hundwil-January 15, 1949) was a Swiss personality.

He was a missionary, physician, and humanitarian who dedicated his life to providing medical care and support to disadvantaged people in the Middle East. Künzler began his career as a missionary in 1900. He established a medical clinic in Beirut, Lebanon, and traveled throughout the region providing medical care to refugees and disadvantaged communities. He also founded a hospital in Nazareth, Israel, which provided care to tens of thousands of people. Künzler was known for his kindness and compassion, and his efforts were instrumental in bringing aid and comfort to those in need. He was recognized both nationally and internationally for his service, and his legacy continues to inspire those who work for peace and justice in the Middle East.

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Jean-François Bergier

Jean-François Bergier (December 5, 1931 Lausanne-October 29, 2009 Blonay) also known as Jean François Bergier was a Swiss personality.

He was a historian and author who is best known for leading the Independent Commission of Experts, which investigated Switzerland's relations with Nazi Germany during World War II. Bergier was a prominent figure in Swiss public life and held several important positions, including serving as the president of the Swiss Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences. He was also a member of the International Commission of Historians and a professor of contemporary history at the University of Geneva. Bergier was an important voice in debates about Switzerland's role in World War II and worked to promote understanding and reconciliation between Switzerland and its neighbors.

Jean Pierre Étienne Vaucher

Jean Pierre Étienne Vaucher (April 17, 1763 Geneva-January 6, 1841 Geneva) was a Swiss personality.

He was a physician, botanist, and plant collector. Vaucher studied medicine in Geneva and Paris, where he became interested in botany. He is best known for his work on the flora of Switzerland and the botanical gardens of Geneva. In 1793, he was appointed to manage the botanical garden of Geneva, becoming professor of botany and vegetable physiology at the University of Geneva in 1817. Vaucher was a member of many scientific societies and was widely respected for his contributions to the field of botany. He authored several works, including "Histoire des Conferves d'eau douce de Genève" (1811) and "Histoire Physique des plantes d'Europe" (1841).

Johann Jakob Herzog

Johann Jakob Herzog (September 12, 1805 Basel-September 30, 1882 Erlangen) was a Swiss personality.

He was a theologian, writer, and editor who is best known for his work on the Realencyklopädie für protestantische Theologie und Kirche (Encyclopedia for Protestant Theology and Church). Herzog played a significant role in the development of theological scholarship and was part of the intellectual movement known as the "Old Protestantism." He studied theology in Basel and Berlin, then worked as a pastor in various Swiss cities. In 1841, he became editor of the Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie (General German Biography), and in 1847 he began work on the Realencyklopädie, which he completed in 1880. Herzog was also an active member of the Evangelical Alliance and was involved in humanitarian and social causes.

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Marc Amsler

Marc Amsler (February 5, 1891 Vevey-May 3, 1968) was a Swiss personality.

He was an ophthalmologist and professor at the University of Bern, known for his work in the field of macular degeneration. Amsler developed the Amsler grid, a tool used in the diagnosis of macular degeneration, a condition that causes loss of vision in the center of the visual field. He also contributed significantly to the understanding of the optical properties of the eye and the physiology of the visual system. In addition to his scientific work, Amsler was also a talented painter and musician. He played the violin and composed several pieces of music, some of which were performed by the Swiss Romande Orchestra. Amsler was awarded numerous honors for his contributions to ophthalmology and received recognition from the Swiss government for his artistic achievements.

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Martin Schmid

Martin Schmid (September 26, 1694 Baar-March 10, 1772 Lucerne) was a Swiss architect.

He is known for his contribution to the Baroque architecture in Switzerland. Schmid gained recognition for his meticulous and stunning church designs that included the Benedictine monastery at Muri, the monastery of St. Urban, and the Abbey of Engelberg. His buildings featured exquisite details, such as stucco decoration and frescoes that were created by prominent painters of his time. Schmid also trained and influenced other significant Swiss architects, including Johann Michael Beer and Peter Thumb. His contributions to the field were recognized by the Swiss government, and he was posthumously awarded the title of "National Architect" in 1972.

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Max Picard

Max Picard (June 5, 1888 Schopfheim-October 3, 1965 Neggio) was a Swiss writer.

Picard was a multi-talented individual who excelled in several fields. Apart from being a writer, he was also a philosopher, poet and theologian. He was known for his ability to weave intricate concepts and ideas into his writing.

Picard's philosophy was heavily influenced by his Catholicism and he wrote extensively about the relationship between faith and reason. He believed that true knowledge came not just from reason and logic, but also from intuition and spiritual insight. This led him to explore the mysteries of the human soul and the nature of existence, which he wrote about in books such as "The Flight from God" and "The World of Silence".

In addition to his philosophical works, Picard also wrote poetry and plays. He was awarded several prizes for his work and was highly respected in literary circles.

Picard spent most of his life in Switzerland, but also lived in Germany, Austria and Italy. He died in Neggio, Switzerland at the age of 77.

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Nicolas-Théodore de Saussure

Nicolas-Théodore de Saussure (October 14, 1767 Geneva-April 18, 1845) also known as Nicolas-Theodore de Saussure was a Swiss chemist.

He is best known for his work in plant physiology and particularly for his studies on the process of photosynthesis. De Saussure was born into a family of prominent scientists and scholars and was educated in Switzerland and France. In 1788, he began working with a group of scientists led by Antoine Lavoisier in Paris. Later, he returned to Switzerland and became a professor of chemistry at the University of Geneva.

De Saussure made many important contributions to the field of chemistry, including the discovery of hydrofluoric acid and advances in the study of gases. In addition, he conducted groundbreaking research on plant nutrition and metabolism. His work on photosynthesis helped to establish the fundamental principles of how plants convert light energy into chemical energy.

De Saussure was widely recognized for his contributions to science and was awarded the Copley Medal by the Royal Society of London in 1839. He remained active in his research until his death in 1845. Today, he is remembered as one of the pioneers of modern plant physiology and as one of the most important chemists of the 19th century.