Jakob Robert Steiger

Jakob Robert Steiger (7 June 1801, in Geuensee – 5 April 1862) was a Swiss politician and President of the Swiss National Council (1848/1849).

Early life and education Steiger was born to peasants in Geuensee near Sursee. His father was from Büron. He began to study theology in 1823. Having studied medicine in Freiburg im Bresigau in Germany until 1826 he moved to Paris, where he then also graduated the same year. He established himself as a medic in Büron. with less power to the aristorcary.

Political career In late 1830 he was elected into the Constitutional Assembly which crafted the Constitution of 1831. He became the president of the Grand Council becoming in 1834. In 1837 he did not stand again for the executive council, alleging the political situation has developed to his satisfaction. In 1841 Steiger was not re-elected into the grand council and following rebelled against the reigning conservative government, specifically against the invitation of the Jesuits to Lucerne. He was also in the Executive Council of Lucerne until 1852, when he resigned after having lost in his aim to support he construction of railway by the state. Instead, the National Council ordered the railways to be constructed with private funds. Josef Martin Knüsel was elected as Steigers successor.