Karl Schenk - Definition and Overview

Karl Schenk (December 1, 1823 - July 18, 1895) was a Swiss politician.

He was elected to the Swiss Federal Council on December 12, 1863 and died in office 31 years later, on July 18, 1895. As of 2004, he is still the longest-serving member. He was affiliated with the Free Democratic Party of Switzerland.

During his office time he held the following departments:

• Department of Home Affairs (1864)
• Political Department as President of the Confederation (1865)
• Department of Home Affairs (1866 - 1870)
• Political Department as President of the Confederation (1871)
• Department of Home Affairs (1872)
• Department of Finance (1872)
• Department of Home Affairs (1873)
• Political Department as President of the Confederation (1874)
• Department of Railway and Trade (1875 - 1877)
• Political Department as President of the Confederation (1878)
• Department of Home Affairs (1879 - 1884)
• Political Department as President of the Confederation (1885)
• Department of Home Affairs (1886 - 1895)

He was President of the Confederation six times in 1865, 1871, 1874, 1878, 1885 and 1893.