Rezension der „Alfred-Escher-Briefedition“

Abstract

Based on letters from politician and industrialist Alfred Escher (1819–1882), an important protagonist of Modern Swiss history, and his correspondents, the Alfred Escher-Briefedition offers central insight into the economic and political history of Switzerland during the 19th century. At the same time, it reflects the personal development of Alfred Escher himself. Most of the letters, which he sent or which were addressed to him, are being published for the first time in this scholarly edition. Escher’s correspondence is explored via editorial comments about specific subjects, as well as an index of persons and places. Extensive commentaries facilitate the placement of a respective source text in its broader historical context. Whereas only a selection of the letters written by and sent to Escher was presented within a chronological thematic arrangement in the six volumes of the 2008–2015 print edition, it is worth mentioning that the continuously expanded online version, published since July 1st 2015, subsequently closes the gap between the two converging parts of the entire collection. The online edition also provides further accessibility and an array of interactive possibilities that go beyond the potential of the print edition. In this article, aspects of the ‘digital paradigm’ of the Alfred Escher-Briefedition are reflected upon and explained.

Keywords

• 19th century
• correspondence
• digital edition
• history
• letters
• switzerland
• tei