Hans Caspar Escher

• Name — Hans Caspar Escher • Other Names — "Felsenhof" • Born — 9 August 1775 • Birthplace — Zurich, Switzerland • Died — 29 August 1859 • Place of death — Herrliberg, Switzerland • Education — Rome • Occupation — Industrialist, architect, politician

Hans Caspar Escher was born on 9 August 1775. His father was John Caspar Escher (1754–1819), who owned a property in Herrliberg. As a teenager, he trained as a merchant at his father's wish. During a stay in Livorno, he developed an enthusiasm for architecture, which he studied in Rome from 1794 to 1797. He then returned to Zurich, where he established himself as an architect. In 1803, he began constructing a silk mill.

In 1805, he founded the Escher-Wyss company with banker Salomon von Wyss. The company initially produced various types of machinery and later began manufacturing locomotives and steamships. With branches in Ravensburg and Vienna, the Escher-Wyss company became Switzerland's largest factory and one of Europe's most significant in the 19th centuryth century during Escher's lifetime. His success played a pioneering role in both social and technical domains. In addition to his roles at Escher-Wyss, Escher continued working as an architect and served as a member of the Grand Council of the Canton of Zurich until 1830.

• Illustration — Angelica Kauffmann, circa 1800 in the Museo del Prado, Madrid. Escher married Anna von Muralt in 1806; his only son, Albert Escher, died before him in 1845.