Hans Kelsen

About the Author

Hans Kelsen (1881-1973) was an Austrian jurist and philosopher renowned for his foundational contributions to legal theory, particularly through the development of the Pure Theory of Law, which seeks to delineate law as a normative science independent of moral, political, or sociological influences. Born in Prague and educated in Vienna, Kelsen served as a professor at various universities, including Vienna, Cologne, Geneva, and Harvard, while also playing a key role in drafting the Austrian Constitution of 1920. Exiled due to Nazi persecution, he continued his scholarly work in the United States, influencing generations of legal scholars worldwide. His rigorous, analytical approach emphasized the hierarchical structure of legal norms, culminating in a systematic framework that separates 'is' from 'ought' in jurisprudential discourse, making him a pivotal figure in 20th-century legal philosophy.