The New International Encyclopædia/Brentano, Lorenz

BRENTANO, (1813-91). A German-American politician and editor, born in Mannheim. After study in Heidelberg and Freiburg, he began legal practice, entered public life, and in 1848 was elected to the National Assembly at Frankfort. In 1849 he was placed in control of the Provisional Government of Baden, but soon fell under suspicion among his fellow revolutionists, and fled by way of Switzerland to America. He established Der Leuchtturm, a German anti-slavery journal, in Pottsville, Pa., and from 1862 to 1867 was editor-in-chief of the Illinois Staatszeitung in Chicago. He was appointed to the American consulate at Dresden in 1872, and in 1876 was elected to Congress. As editor of the Staatszeitung, he greatly aided the Federal cause during the Civil War period.