Simon Nikolaus Euseb von Montjoye-Hirsingen

Simon Nikolaus Euseb Reichsgraf von Montjoye-Hirsingen (1693–1775) was the Prince-Bishop of Basel from 1762 to 1775.[1]

Biography

Simon Nikolaus Euseb von Montjoye-Hirsingen was born in Hirsingen, Alsace, on September 22, 1693, the son of Franz Ignaz von Montjoye-Hirsingen, a brigadier in the French Army.[2] The family also sometimes used Froburg as its family name.[2]

He was educated at the Jesuit gymnasium in Porrentruy, then spent 1712 studying in Strasbourg. From 1713 to 1717, he studied at the Collegium Germanicum in Rome.[2]

He was ordained as a priest on December 22, 1731.[3] He spent 1741-62 as provost of Enschingen.[2]

On October 26, 1762, the cathedral chapter of Basel Münster elected him to be the new Prince-Bishop of Basel, with Pope Clement XIII confirming his appointment on March 21, 1763.[3] He was consecrated as a bishop by Cardinal de Choiseul on July 10, 1763.[3]

Bishop von Montjoye-Hirsingen was a supporter of the Physiocrats.[2] In 1769, he introduced poor relief in the prince-bishopric.[2]

He became sick in 1771, which led to premature electioneering in the prince-bishopric.[2] He died in Porrentruy on April 5, 1775.[3]

References

  1. Sprink & Son's Monthly Numismatic Circle, Vol I. (1893), p. 446
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Catherine Bosshart-Pfluger, "Montjoye-Hirsingen, Simon Nikolaus von," Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Profile on catholic-hierarchy.org
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
Josef Wilhelm Rinck von Baldenstein
Prince-Bishop of Basel
1762–1775
Succeeded by
Friedrich Ludwig Franz von Wangen zu Geroldseck