Geissel, Johannes Von

Geissel, Johannes Von a Roman Catholic prelate of Germany, was born February 15, 1796. In 1818 he received holy orders, was in 1819 professor and religious instructor at the gymnasium in Speier, in 1822 member of the chapter, in 1836 dean, and in 1837 bishop of Speier. In 1842 he became the coadjutor of the archbishop of Cologie, in 1846 his successor, and died Sept. 8,1864. Geissel was one of the main promoters of Ultramontanistic ideas in Germany, especially in Prussia,and the pope acknowledged his endeavors by making him cardinal in 1850. Geissel's writings and addresses were published by Dumont (Cologne, 1869-76, 4 volumes). See Remling, Kardinal von Geissel, Bischof von Speier und Erzbishof von Koln (Speier, 1873); Baudri, Der Erzbishof von Koln, Johannes Kardinal von Geissel und seine Zeit (Cologne, 1882). (B.P.)