Doyen Bridel

Philippe-Sirice Bridel (also Philippe Cyriaque), known as le Doyen Bridel (20 November 1757 – 20 May 1845) was a man of letters, advocate of Swiss folklore, active during the development of Swiss national identity.

Biography Bridel was born on 20 November 1757 in Begnins. He served as a pastor at Basel, Château-d'Oex and Montreux. He began writing poetry in 1782 and is considered the earliest Vaudois poets by virtue of his Poèsies helvtiennes (1782). He is known for his work on Swiss history and linguistics, specifically for his glossary of the patois of French-speaking Switzerland, published posthumously in 1866. However he is better known as the painter of the scenery and people among whom he worked as pastor.