Heinrich Escher

Heinrich Escher (1625-1710 was the mayor of Zürich at the turn of the 18th Century. He is credited with introducing chocolate to Switzerland after learning about it in Brussels.

At the beginning of his political career he became a 1652 representative of the guild the Meisen generally speaking advice (Zwölfer) and then of 1663 -1668 in the small advice. 1669 he became Vogt of Kyburg and from 1678 to his death he was mayor of Zürich.

He was active as a buyer in the textile trade. As a representative of the buyers he was member of the inhabitants of rich delegation for the renewal of the pay alliance of Zürich with Ludwig XIV. After the threat of Geneva and the Waldenser taken up there and Huguenot by France E 1687 together with a representative of Berne to the yard Ludwig became XIV. He was sent to represent the interests of the Evangelist conditions in Zürich and Berne and the conditions Geneva allied with them.

[http://www.swissworld.org/en/switzerland/swiss_specials/swiss_chocolate/chocolate_arrives_in_switzerland/] Swissworld