HENLE, SIGMUND VON:

Bavarian deputy; born June 30, 1821; died at Munich Oct. 9, 1901. He was a descendant of Löb Berlin, the district rabbi of Bamberg in 1789-94. Highly esteemed by King Ludwig II., he was entrusted with many law cases of the royal house; he was also an intimate friend of Duke Maximilian. From 1873 to 1881 he sat in the Bavarian Diet as representative of the city of Munich, and was a member of the most important committees, as those on law and finance. To the end of his life he was a faithful supporter of liberalism, and successfully opposed all attempts to curtail the rights of his coreligionists. Shortly after his sixtieth year his sight became seriously affected, and he was compelled to resign his professional and political work. On this occasion the Order of Merit of the Bavarian Crown, which ennobles the bearer, was conferred upon him; a few years later he was created privy councilor. As a member of the boards of trustees of the Riesser-Stiftung and of several Jewish societies, he was interested even in advanced age in the intellectual and material welfare of his coreligionists.

Bibliography:
  • Münchener Neueste Nachrichten, Oct. 10, 1901;
  • A. Eckstein, Beiträge zur Geschichte der Juden in Bayern, 1902, pp. 36-38.
S. F. P.
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