Born inGeneva, he worked as a tutor, language teacher, journalist and a translator for the Swiss federal Chancellery (1869–1873).
In 1867 he helped to found the Ligue de la paix et de la liberté (League of Peace and Freedom), though he continued working at other positions, including secretary for the Jura-Simplon Steel Company from 1873 to 1891. That year, he was appointed director of the newly formedInternational Peace Bureau, the first non-governmental international peace organization, based inBern. He refused to accept a salary for the position, stating that he wished to serve in this capacity solely for reasons of idealism. From 1895 he was made the director ofCorrespondance bi-mensuelle, journal of the International Peace Office.[1]
His keen organizational skills ensured the group's success. He was awarded in theNobel Peace Prize in 1902, and served as director of the organization until his death in 1906.
