What is it about?
Theodor Gottlieb von Hippel (1741-1796) was the judge in a case of infanticide that occurred in Königsberg. This essay is the first detailed study of Hippel's own account of the trial, which was published in 1792 under the title, "Nachricht, die von K..sche Untersuchung betreffend" and again 1797 under its subtitle, "Beitrag über Verbrechen und Strafen."
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Why is it important?
Hippel's account provides an inside look at this controversial case, which attracted a great deal of attention. A Polish nobleman even attempted to save her life at the last minute by offering to marry her.
Perspectives
Although the accused mother was guilty of having murdered her child, Hippel as judge had to wrestle with his conscience in order to justify the death penalty. His essay offers insight into the condition of his soul as he imposed a penalty he thought was too harsh, but that public opinion demanded.
Hamilton Beck
Moscow University of Information Technology
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Of Two Minds About the Death Penalty: Hippel's Account of a Case of Infanticide, Studies in Eighteenth Century Culture, January 1989, Project Muse,
DOI: 10.1353/sec.1989.0008.
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